Natalie Dormer says she doesn't care about running a slower time in this London Marathon

The Game of Thrones actress said her key reason for taking part in the race was to raise money for the NSPCC

Natalie Dormer has said she “doesn’t give a f***” about her London Marathon time after running the race 30 seconds slower than her last attempt.

Speaking to reporters after crossing the finish line on Sunday, the actress said her time was unimportant as her key reason for taking part was to raise money for children’s charity the NSPCC.

Dormer initially said she was "a little peeved" to have run the race in three hours and 51 minutes, having recorded a time of three hours and 50 minutes in her debut attempt.

But she added: “I'm here today because 3,000 children get in contact with ChildLine every day. And we don't have enough money to talk to every single one of them.”

According to the Telegraph, the Game of Thrones star was among 900 athletes who ran the race in aid of NSPCC’s ChildLine – a confidential service allowing children to talk to counsellors in a private and confidential environment.

So far the fundraising by NSPCC runners has raised over £1 million.

Dormer was one of a host of celebrities running for various good causes, including Top Gear host, Chris Evans, who took part in the race for the second year in a row, raising money for Children in Need.

Natalie Dormer starts the Virgin London Marathon 2016 (Getty Images)

The British spaceman, Tim Peake, also took part recording a marathon time of three hours 35 minutes 21 seconds after running the race while strapped to a treadmill at the International Space Station.

Eliud Kipchoge broke the course record at the Virgin London Marathon, retaining his title with the second-fastest run in history over the distance. He finished in an official time of two hours, three minutes and four seconds.

Jemima Sumgong won the women's race despite banging her head in a heavy fall at around 22 miles. She finished in two hours 22 minutes and 58 seconds.

Additional reporting by Press Association