HUNDREDS of people turned out for a community’s revived fun run and summer fair.

The Lanchester Partnership staged the event at Burnhopeside Hall, near Lanchester, on Sunday.

Partnership chairperson said Michelle Atkinson said: “A few years ago there was a post on a Facebook page showing old pictures of the Lanchester Fun Run that was organised by the Boys Brigade in the 80s.

"There was a conversation started about how it would be great to have that back in the village so I suggested that rather than talk about it on Facebook, we meet to try and make it happen, which we did."

"We did not have insurance or banking or anything we could use as a set up and were invited by The Lanchester Partnership, who do a lot of community work in Lanchester, to set up a working group and make the fun run happen within their infrastructure and support.

"We now have the “Village Vita” working group which operates within the Partnership, to arrange the events."

She added: "Lanchester no longer had a village carnival since the Lanchester Lions ceased, and so we decided to try and resurrect that at the same time."

"We partnered with Williowburn Hospice for the events too – they handle the refreshments and proceeds from food sales go to the hospice

"We also partnered with the Red Cross Shop, they collect our run entries for us and are the port of call for the village to get information and submit entries.

"Last year was a great success , the run went well and the summer fair had quite a lot going on, but we felt it could be better this year and so we have worked hard to incorporate community groups in the event this time."

In year one, with some grants from Lanchester Parish Council and from councillors Jude Considine and Ossie Johnson the partnership made a small profit to organise this year's event.

This year there were 155 runners. The fastest girl finisher was Grace Thirlwell, 13, while the fastest boy was Matthew Walker, 14. Owen Lowery completed the most laps, running eight circuits, totalling 20km.

Among the organisations who volunteered to help were the Consett Rugby Club, Lanchester Lawn Tennis Club, 1313 Whickham Squadron ATC, who who marshalled the run, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, Diggerland and the Seiken Ryu Karate Club.

Also taking part were the Lanchester Brass Band, Willowburn Hospice, Lanchester Brownies and Guides, Lanchester Agricultural Society and Lanchester Community Orchard, Rewilding at Horsethinking, The Village Bus, The Plastic Free Lanchester group and Rewilding at Horsethinking.

They were all thanked for their support, along with Burnhopeside Hall which hosted the event.