MORE businesses than ever are backing this year's Crowle Gunpowder Plot 10k road race and charity fun run.

About 20 local firms are offering donations and prizes for the sixth annual fund-raiser on Sunday, May 6.

The Crowle Gunpowder Plot 10k is so named because the route takes runners past Huddington Court - the place where the Gunpowder Plot was hatched.

This year, computer controlled machine tool manufacturer Yamazaki Ma-zak, Badgeworth Drive, Warndon, Worcester, will provide mugs for the 600 runners who are expected to take part in the event. Worcester Bosch Group, Cotswold Way, Warndon, will pay for a new running club team trophy and corporate team cup.

Specialist gas providers CryoService, Warndon Business Park, will provide prizes for winners, valued at £400. Latch manufacturer, Southco, based in Wainwright Road, Warndon, will donate £500 towards the charity event for the second consecutive year.

Co-organiser David Brimble said: "Every penny we raise from business sponsorship or entries means more money for the charities we are supporting - Acorns Children's Hospice and the breast cancer care charity, The Lavender Trust. We will also be supporting Crowle's village hall and sports field charity. Last year we raised more than £10,000 for charity and with the fantastic generosity of so many local business people we look set for another very successful fund-raising effort."

There is a one-mile race, open to anyone aged 13 and over, three fun runs which lap the village playing field, and the main 10k event. The fun runs will take place specifically for children, giving them more chance of winning a prize.

There will also be a barbecue, cake stalls, refreshments, a children's entertainment area and playground at the event.

Entry forms for either the 10k race and fun runs can be downloaded from www.crowle-online.co. uk/roadrace. Alternative-ly, call race organisers on 07842 191431.

The entry fee for Athletic Association affiliated runners costs £8, unaffiliated runners £10, with an extra £1 charge for entries on the day. Fun runners pay £3. Registra-tion on the day is at 9am.