A man who says he is tired of cancer taking loved ones away from him is taking on a half marathon dressed as Batman.

Dominic Bellman will run 12 miles wearing a replica Christian Bale-era Batman suit to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

His caped crusading began after a friend died last May after a long battle with cancer, at first dressing in a costume at work and then documenting himself “looking odd” while out and about.

He said: “Cancer has taken many loved ones from my me over the years - and I'm tired of it.

“I was inspired, and very surprised, by the support and interest I received from friends, colleagues, and clients.

“But I should have done more. To me it wasn't enough, so I decided that this year I would do something better.”

Mr Bellman will join about 10,000 others on May 28 on a route that will take him through London.

After the race he will remain in costume for a day fundraising at the Comiccon conventions at the London Excel centre.

Mr Bellman made the suit in March as he began preparing for the marathon.

It is made of Kevlar reinforced leather, while the cowl is made from rubber. He describes wearing it for prolonged periods as “challenging”.

Mr Bellman described his motivation for taking on the challenge.

He said: “I hate cancer because it takes not just people’s lives, but it also takes everything that made that person who they were.”

“I’ve seen remarkable, strong-willed people stripped of what they were and left as husks, and seen cancer take their loved ones and do something that’s in some ways worse.”

Mr Bellman filmed his training for the event as well as the construction of the suit, posting both on Youtube and Facebook.

He has so far raised £1,400 and hopes to raise more before the race.

Mr Bellman said: “This cause is extremely important to me and I want to raise as much funding for it as possible.”

He said: “If I can help just one person in that situation, then it’ll be worth it.”

For information, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/TheDarkKnightruns