HUNDREDS of runners started their new year resolutions early and worked off the Christmas pudding at the Moors Valley charity run in aid of Autism Wessex on Sunday (December 29).

The event was sold out and saw 500 people compete in the 10km race and 2km fun run to raise about £4,000.

With the youngest contestant just four years old, the organisers were keen to encourage serious and amateur runners alike to get involved and join in the fun.

Paul Reade, community and events fundraiser at Autism Wessex, said: “We had an absolutely fantastic response to this Moors Valley run as it proved so popular that we ran out of places. There is a limited number of runners that the location can safely cater for, so unfortunately we had to turn people away.”

The money raised at the Moors Valley Country Park race will be used to improve the information and advice service at Autism Wessex.

At least 7,000 people in Dorset are affected by autism and the charity provides high quality specialist services for people affected by autism and associated difficulties.

The charity is celebrating its 45th anniversary with a number of events including sponsored skydives in an attempt to raise £450,000.