GALASHIELS hairdressers Sharon Sanderson and William Pearson proved to be a cut above last month as they completed the gruelling Edinburgh Half Marathon.

The R and R Hair and Beauty salon stylists spent several months pounding the streets of Gala in training.

Their efforts proved worthwhile as both 36-year-old William and 34-year-old Sharon reached the finishing line well within their two hour targets.

And, so far, they have also raised more than £700 for local cancer charity, The Lavender Touch.

William told us: "Both Sharon and I have had people in our lives who have been affected by cancer.

"I've done Gala Opera for a number of years and got to know our photographer Shiela Scott and the great work that she and Lavender Touch do to help people in the Borders with cancer.

"It was Sharon's idea to do the Edinburgh Half Marathon to help the charity and we trained together to get ready for it.

"We've been overwhelmed by the amount of support we've received, both in the shop and also online."

Sharon completed the coastal route from Meadowmill to Musselburgh in a time of 1.51 while William was a couple of minutes further back with 1.53.

Sharon added: "Lavender Touch provide such a crucial support to individuals and families going through an extremely difficult time in their life.

"Every single penny makes a huge difference to the lives affected by this horrible disease."

To support William and Sharon visit their crowdfunding page at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/stuart-mcdonald-201