THE memory of a young Royal Marine will live on when one of his friends embarks on a gruelling 48-hour snooker marathon to raise funds for the Help for Heroes charity.

Lieutenant John Thornton, 22, from Ferndown was serving with 40 Commando Brigade in Afghanistan when he was killed in a roadside bomb on March 30, 2008.

Now his friend Carl Filer is planning to take part in a snooker-thon being staged at Bournemouth’s Ambassador snooker club in Glen Fern Road from May 1 until May 3.

With the help of another club member Matt Kirsch they hope to play snooker non-stop for 48 hours and raise £3,500 to support wounded servicemen and women.

Carl told the Daily Echo: “This is a cause very close to both our hearts. John was a good friend and this is our way of remembering him. We also hope to go on to shatter the current world record of 53 hours non-stop snooker playing.

“It won’t be easy; as well as having to stay awake for 48 hours we will be playing in a dark room and the constant bending is sure to take its toll.

“We want people to come to the club and support us at this event. They can play on a separate table with prizes for potting the six red balls in the quickest time in exchange for a small donation.”

• For more information about the snooker-thon and details on how to sponsor Carl and Matt go to bmycharity.com/snooker48, Facebook (charitysnooker-thon) or Twitter (helpforheroes48).