A Chester-le-Street runner was just piped at the post in a running race that attracted more than 1,000 entries.

Stewy Bell, a member of Chester-le-StreetAthletics Club, was beaten into second place in the Darlington annual 10k road race on Sunday.

The winner was fellow team-mate and Darlington bakery manager Martin Scaife.

Around 1,200 runners of all ages took part in the race as well as a junior competition and a family fun run around the town.

The 10k runners competed for the first time on a new two lap course, introduced after police expressed concerns about the safety of athletes on the old route.