Hundreds of runners made their way through Dorchester this morning as the town hosted its first marathon.

Locals and travellers were warned to watch out for road closures.

White Star Running organised the event with the Rotary Club of Dorchester Casterbridge.

The race, beginning and ending at the Cokers Frome showground, started at 8.30am, with the half marathon setting off at 9.30am.

The marathon route went through part of Dorchester and before heading out eastwards through a number of villages including West Stafford and Puddletown.

The half marathon followed a similar route but cut through Puddletown Forest before joining the full marathon again at Puddletown.

Roads closures were in place from 7am with those in the town centre (High West Street/London Road, Prince of Wales Road and Cornwall Road) back open by 10am.

The A352 between Max Gate and West Stafford Bypass was also closed. 

Village roads did not reopen until all runners had passed through and closures were officially in place until 5pm.

The routes passed through villages east of Dorchester including Puddletown, Tincleton, Burleston, Tolpuddle, Affpuddle and West Stafford.

Bus firm First Wessex said due to the Dorchester Marathon taking place, Services 10 and X51 were diverted between 7am and 10am, and Service 5 between 7am and 1pm.

Service 5 did not run between Dorchester and Crossways for the whole day. 

All roads are now reopen. 

See tomorrow's Dorset Echo for a picture special on the event.