Runners battled against the heat to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.

The third annual Poppy Run, organised by the Lyme Regis Branch of the Royal British Legion (TRBL), took place last month.

The aim of the event is to recognise the service our armed forces personnel provide in the defence of the United Kingdom and its allies, as well as providing assistance to the civil authorities, as has recently been witnessed in Greater Manchester and Lancashire with rural fires.

Twenty-seven runners were set off on the run by the Mayor of Lyme Regis, councillor Michaela Ellis, who also presented winners and participants with medals after the race.

For those that didn't wish to run, a sponsored walk took place on the Lyme Regis Football Club ground, which collected a sizeable sum of money for TRBL Poppy Appeal.

Several stalls, a bouncy castle and a PA system all helped to provide a family-welcoming atmosphere, and a display in the branch's new gazebo showcased TRBL colours, from which a raffle was held in aid of the Poppy Appeal.

Ian Marshall, branch chairman, said: "This is the third year we have staged the Poppy Run and although numbers were reduced this year, we believe the hit weather and a certain football tournament may have kept the runners away."

Ian then went on to say he wished his sincere thanks to the several people and organisations for their help in putting the event together.

The list included Daniel Buckley and Shelley Larcombe, who organised the run and stalls, Lyme Regis Town Council for route preparation, Wessex Star Discos for providing music and PA services, Lyme Regis Football Club for allowing use of the clubhouse and pitch, Pete, Jacqui and Ania ably assisted by one-year-old Mason for manning the RBL gazebo, and cllr Cheryl Reynolds for assisting Annemarie with race registration.

Mr Marshall also thanked the committee members for all their hard work, and Tesco Lyme Regis for providing drinking water for runners and officials.

Ian said: "Finally, I would like to thank councillor Ellis for helping with race starting and prize giving, and our president, Pip Evans, MBE, secretary Chris James and treasurer Jon Hunt for keeping an eye on the finances, and Alan Vian, our town crier for helping with crowd direction along the Marine Parade.

"We are very much looking forward to planning next year's run which hopefully will not be held during a heatwave."