Celebrations as thousands complete London Marathon 2016

Thousands of people have taken part in the London marathon, kicked off by a countdown from space from astronaut and competitor Tim Peake.

Among the runners were double Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes who ran her marathon debut aiming to raise a quarter of a million pounds for a number of charities including one she founded to help disadvantaged young people.

Despite finishing in an impressive time of 3 hours 11 mins, she told ITV News she doesn't have any plans to run again.

Also competing was Game of Thrones actress Natalie Dormer, who ran to raise money for the NSPCC.

Speaking after the race, she told ITV News she was "a bit peeved" to have been only 30 seconds away from her personal best.

In the elite men's race Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge successfully defended his 2015 title, gaining a course record, and the second fastest time in history.

Fellow Kenyan Jemima Sumgong won the elite women's race, despite suffering a nasty fall during the race.

The winners' prizes were presented by Prince Harry, patron of the London Marathon Charitable Trust.

It is thought 39,000 people participated in the race this year and 31 world records were broken.

As the competitors set off next year's chosen charity was announced as Heads Together, a consortium of mental health charities brought together by The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.