ORGANISERS of a fun run and 10k race have called this year's event the best ever.

The Crowle Gunpowder Plot 10k road race and charity fun run attracted more 600 runners of all ages to the village near Worcester.

Named because the route takes runners past Huddington Court - the place where the Gunpowder Plot was hatched - this was the sixth annual event.

Co-organiser Fizz Bewley said it had been a fantastic day: "We have had more runners today then last time and everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. It looks like being our best ever event."

First man past the winning line was Dave Kesterton, who crossed it in 34 minutes, 15 seconds.

The first woman was Emma Gooderham, aged 36, of Wye Piddle, who finished in 39 minutes, 18 seconds. She said: "I ran my first race three years ago. Over the years I have come seventh, third, second and now first, which I am really pleased about. It means a lot to me because it is a local event and it is so well organised."

In the fun run, the winner of the 0-4-year-old category quarter-of-a-mile run was Cameron Palmer; the 5-7-year-old category winner was Ethan Summerwilll; the 8-12-year-old half-a-mile category was won by Thomas Stock, and the one-mile race for the 13-plus age category was won by David Jubb.

There were several sideshows at the event, including tombola and bouncy castle. Organisers do not know how much money they have raised, but many charities will benefit, including Worcester's Acorns Children's Hospice, which cares for life-limited children, and breast cancer care charity the Lavender Trust.