THE Barton Stacey Fun Run proved to be a success once again, raising more than £4,500 for the village’s pre-school.

Nearly 200 runners took part in a 10km and 3km events and were blessed with beautiful weather.

There was a real feeling of integration of the whole community to the day, with hot food served throughout, cakes galore, the Barton Stacey Football Club bar, the Jubilee Trad Jazz Band, the Sutton Scotty Fire and Rescue appliance, a bouncy castle and games from Zak’s Parties.

There were also stalls by Muffin but Cards, Shelley from Slimming World and The Boaz Project.

An innovative group of young local children, Emma, Ruby, Lottie, Sienna, Oscar, Cecily and Rosie, from the village ran a stall too raising an additional £100 for the Stillbirth and Neonatal Death charity (Sands).

The Top Gear-style ‘fastest lap’ obstacle course was also enjoyed by many of the visitors.

Dr Lizzie Frost, Barton Stacey Pre-School lead trustee, said: “The village and surrounding area have come together to make this event a resounding success. The runners were full of compliments regarding the smooth organisation of the whole day, for which we gladly thank the great teamwork from the organising committee, marshals and our families”.

The event was sponsored by Landmarc, TOAST, Karen Sykes Lettings, Raymond Brown Waste Solutions, Lewis Aitken Carpentry, JW Autos & Mechanical Services, Lionel Hitchens and Alexandra Sports. Water and bananas were kindly donated by Tesco Andover and Fyffes.

Organisers expressed thanks to the events sponsors, as well as Jez Dykes and his team for co-ordinating the races every year.

After this weekend and retiring from the British Army after 26 years of service he deserves a well earned rest!

The event is set to return again next year over the same weekend. Information will available on Twitter via #bartonstaceyfunrun.