RAVENOUS undead monsters will be hot on the heels of fearless fundraisers at a charity event this September.

The Butterwick Zombie Run is coming to Dirty Dog Airsoft, in Shildon, and the hospice is appealing for courageous runners to help save humanity.

The popular annual run will have an urban survival theme this year, and the team at Dirty Dog Airsoft have littered the 5k course with derelict cars, tyre walls, and other obstacles for intrepid runners to navigate.

Runners must complete the 5k obstacle course to reach the designated safe zone – but it won’t be easy making it past the dozens of bloodthirsty zombies infesting the area.

Each runner wears a utility belt holding three ‘life tags’. If a runner loses all three of their ‘life tags’ to the undead horde, then the decontamination team will do their best to stop the zombie virus spreading.

The route will take participants along dirty tracks, through an abandoned cabin village, and under camouflage nets, with plenty of other surprises along the way.

Milly Toner, event organiser, said: “Our Zombie Run is one of the most exciting events we hold in aid of Butterwick Hospice Care, and this year promises to be the best one yet.

“We want to thank Dirty Dog Airsoft for donating their fantastic facilities, as well as everyone who has selflessly volunteered to become one our zombies.

“Finally, we’re so grateful to everyone who has signed up to take part and support this amazing charity. Remember – the future of humanity is in your hands.”

Anyone who is more interested in joining the shambling horde can volunteer to be a zombie, and take their place as one of the infected, cursed to chase down humans and steal life tags!

The event takes place on Saturday, September 28, and entry is now open at www.butterwick.org.uk/events/zombierunuk, or by calling the fundraising team on 01388 603 003.