A NORTH Herefordshire teacher is teaming up with top model Nell McAndrew to run the London Marathon and help the 'Butterfly' children.

Laverne Inns, 37, head of modern languages at Leominster's Minster College, has suffered a degree of the 'blistering skin' problem all her life, though it has not stopped her from being a successful sportswoman.

Glamorous Nell McAndrew, tabloid pin up and former I'm a Celebrity... TV show contestant is, like Laverne, a keen supporter of Debra, the charity which helps sufferers of the genetic skin condition known as EB.

Later this month Laverne will join Nell and the eight other members of the Debra London Marathon team at Reading. They will train together for the big event on April 18.

She was thrilled after learning that she had been awarded a 'Golden Place' on the 26 mile run for Debra (she is runner number 37,188!).

"Most people have heard of the Butterfly children whose skin is so fragile that their skin blisters at the slightest touch," said Northern Ireland-born Laverne.

"The condition is 'Epidermolysis Bullosa' - EB for short - and there is no known cure as yet. I have had EB Simplex - which means blistering only on certain parts of the body - on my hands and feet all my life.

"The Debra charity has told me I will be the first person with EB Simplex to do the London Marathon."

Mrs Inns welcomes sponsorship c/o The Minster College, Leominster, HR6 8JJ and contributions online at www.justgiving.com/laverneinns