Bradford policeman Paul Fleming will swap plodding the beat for pounding the streets of New York in the city's famous marathon.

PC Fleming, aged 38, of Queensbury, hopes to raise £2,000 for the National Asthma Campaign in November. when he joins about 35,000 other runners in the 26-mile race.

He entered the New York race after finding the London Marathon had a huge waiting list and choose the charity because his daughters Grace, ten, and Larna, six, have both suffered from asthma. Now Paul, who has been on the beat for 14 years, is running up to 14 miles before work.

He said: "I'm approaching 40 and I thought I'd set myself a challenge and raise money for a charity close to my heart.

"I'd like to raise £2,000 as it's the year 2000. One in seven children suffer from this condition and every 12 minutes in the United Kingdom a child is admitted to hospital suffering from an asthma attack.

"In the time I hope it will take me to run the marathon there will have been 26 children in this country admitted to hospital, so I'll be keeping that in mind when I'm starting to get tired"

Before he flies to America PC Fleming plans to take part in the Great North Run in Newcastle and has already run several half marathons.

He has written to Bradford businesses appealing for donations or sponsorship and will wear a sweatshirt on the day with all the logos of the companies which have supported him.

"Local businesses like Spectrum Computers Supplies and Tri-Print have already donated to this worthy cause as well as the likes of the Bradford Bulls who have donated a shirt and some tickets. "

To make a donation write to PC3180 Paul Fleming at Bradford Central Police Station, Bradford, BD1 1TR, making cheques payable to the National Asthma Campaign.