A TAUNTON man whose baby daughter nearly died is running the London Marathon to back the British Heart Foundation.

Ian Wait, of Hillyfields, hopes to raise £2,000 at the race on Sunday, April 13, when he will be supported by his wife, Sarah, and friends.

He is taking part as a thank you to medical staff who helped save one-year-old Niamh's life.

Niamh was born with a congenital heart defect that was not picked up until last April, at seven weeks.

Sarah said: "She seemed fine when she was born, but later looked ill and went off her feeds.

"We took her to Musgrove Park Hospital a few times, but they thought it was a viral infection.

"It persisted and we took her back in April. She deteriorated and was rushed to Bristol Children's Hospital."

Doctors discovered she had a rare condition known as cor-triatriatum, with a membrane growing across her heart, stopping it pumping oxygen and blood round her body.

"It was touch and go, but she pulled through and had the all-clear in January," said Sarah.

Ian has been busy on training runs and in the gym.

He and Sue, who have another daughter, Freya, three, are holding a fundraising table-top sale at home in Hillyfields from 11am-4pm on Saturday.