The niece of a well-known and popular local musician who died last year is running the London Marathon in his memory.

Dereham Times: Second Opinion. Pictured: L to R Steve Fenn, Robbie Goodyear, Mel Holman, Ian Gillon, Ted Starkings - 1973. Picture: SuppliedSecond Opinion. Pictured: L to R Steve Fenn, Robbie Goodyear, Mel Holman, Ian Gillon, Ted Starkings - 1973. Picture: Supplied (Image: Supplied)

Sally Juby, 33, is hoping to complete the 26.2m race this weekend as a tribute to her uncle Mel Holman, who was the lead singer of Second Opinion.

The 74-year-old had been with the rock band for more than 40 years before he died from heart failure in October last year.

Miss Juby, from Dereham, will be running the marathon on Saturday in aid of the Papworth Hospital Charity, which saved the life of her uncle in 2000.

She said: 'My uncle was really fun and he always lived life to the full. He was one of those people who never got old, he was so well known and everyone loved him.

'He was also really good at singing and he used to raise money for Papworth Hospital after his heart operation. I'm not very good at singing, so I'm doing the one thing I can do, and that is running.'

Mr Holman, of Halvergate, formed Second Opinion in 1972 and continued performing with the band until their final gig on New Year's Eve 2014.

The group was well-known in the local music scene and regularly played at venues across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

It also raised money for various good causes, including the Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, after Mr Holman had a triple bypass operation there.

His sister, Janice Knights, 63, from Toftwood, said: 'His music and his family were everything to him and he was very passionate about everything he did. He would be so proud of Sally for doing this run.'

The Papworth Hospital is largest specialist heart and lung hospital in the UK.

To sponsor Miss Juby visit her just giving page at www.justgiving.com/Sally-JubyVlm

Are you raising money for a good cause, call Luke Powell on 01603 772684.