Hairy-faced athlete to sue 118 118

NEWS The Number 118 118's popular advertising campaign, featuring two 70s-style moustachioed runners in identical vests, may have landed the company in hot water. Former world record holder, David Bedford, who ran the 10,000 metres for Great Britain in the 70s and is remembered for his trademark moustache, is threatening to sue the directory enquiries company for using his image without permission. Bedford recently posed for photographs with the two runners featured on The Number's advertising to promote this year's London marathon, but it appears the apparent bonhomie may have hidden Bedford's litigious ambitions. William Ostrom, director of communications at The Number, said that the idea for the runners came from the company's creative agency and was based on another 70s track star, American Steve Prefontaine - who does indeed bear a striking resemblance to the 118 118 runners. Ostrom told silicon.com: "He was the iconic runner. Many footballers and runners had that look at the time. It was an era we were trying to capture, not an individual." And it looks like 118 118 will have some more competition on its hands, as another young upstart enters the DQ arena. 11 88 66 is launching a major advertising campaign to run until the New Year, featuring a country gent musing on remembering numbers.