RESIDENTS of Sydling St Nicholas experienced a rather noisy weekend, all in aid of local good causes.

Sunday, June 26, marked the Bell Race, organised by White Star Running, to raise money for much-needed repairs on the church bells.

The race was part of a weekend of events, also organised by White Star Running, geared towards raising money for local causes, including the church, the Women's Institute and the village hall.

The weekend included the Giant's Head Marathon, in which 400 runners took part, as well as the shorter Sydling Hill Run, which covers seven miles.

Chris Legg, chairman of the Sydling St Nicholas Parish Council, said: "We’re really pleased to have hosted the Giant’s Head Marathon in Sydling for the fourth year running.

"It’s a great event which raises a lot of money for groups in the village and it is always really well organised and great fun."

Bride-to-be Jessica Woolcott travelled from Oxfordshire, along with her friends, to celebrate her hen party in unconventional fashion by taking on the marathon.

Her evening barn dance and bar were even laid on by the race organisers.

Jessica said: "I’m part of the Hook Norton Harriers and I wanted to do something different for my hen do, so I persuaded others in the group to run the marathon with me yesterday.

"We ran together and it was really fun. We were even treated to Bucks Fizz at mile 20."

Organisers are already looking ahead to next year, when they will hold the first ever Dorchester Marathon on May 28, 2017.

Andy Palmer, owner of White Star Running, said: "We think of ourselves as a running organisation with a heart.

"We set challenging courses, but we also really look after our runners and they come back to us time after time.

"Of course, we can’t do it without help so a huge thank you to all the volunteers from Sydling and surrounding villages who turned out to help us including folks from the parish council, the village hall committee, the WI and the Sydling Help and Relief Project."

Anyone who wishes to register for a place in the inaugural Dorchester Marathon should visit dorchestermarathon.co.uk.