JUDGE Frankie Goddard was a man on the run on Saturday when he took part in a village 5,000 metre dash that he help create 36 years ago.

Mr Goddard, 70, who sits in the county court in Bath and Swindon, and travel agent friend Robin Myerscough came up with the idea of the Bishops Cannings 5,000 metre dash to add a new dimension to the village's church fete in 1983.

He has stayed involved ever since and this year he donned his running shoes once again to take part. He finished the race in 40 mins 58 seconds, which was some way behind the winner Simon Nott who won in 18mins 05, but he was delighted with the turnout.

He said: "We are pleased that after all of these years it is still going and people keep coming back. All money raised will go to church funds."

Calne Running Club member Mr Nott, is no stranger to success in Bishops Cannings and has taken the title on a number of occasions.

His wife Denise finished second in the ladies race in 23.26 behind women's winner Sarah Kingston in 22mins 03.

Catherine Russ, who has been a stalwart of the race since she was a pupil at Bishops Cannings Primary School and won the girl's race, is now one of the organisers. She won every year from 2001 to 2006 and then took the ladies' title in 2014

She said: "I want to say thank you so much to everyone for coming and making it a great race. Really hope to see everyone again next year."

Mr Nott was a long way clear of second place man Alex Clarice-Avert who finished in 18mins 54

A number of youngsters also took on the tough course which took in the Long Barrow above Bourton and Roughridge Hill.

First boy home was Josh Burns in 22.03 while first girl was Matilda Pithouse in 41.41. Riley Hayes was second boy in 24.03 and Simon Rawlings was the first male veteran in 22.06, Timothy Westcott was first super veteran in 26.44 and Sam Kelly was first female veteran in 25.57.

In addition to the run the school field was full of stalls and side shows to raise money for the village church.