Over 250 runners turned rainbow coloured as they were blizzarded with paint during Witney’s annual Colour Run.

After 14 months of lockdown runners were more than ready to get out in the fresh air and do something silly while helping to raise money for charitable causes.

The runners were given white T-shirts and bombarded with red, blue and yellow powder paint at three ‘paint stations’ set up at regular intervals along the 5km course.

They were set off by Mayor Joy Aitman who was introduced by Town Crier Joan Postlethwaite Dixon.

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Looking on was Rotary District Governor Karen Eveleigh who is looking after the 56 Rotary clubs in the Thames Valley this year and Witney Rotary club president Jamie Hunter.

And despite rather cloudy weather the participants appeared to have a hilarious time.

The event, which was launched last year, was hosted by Witney Rugby Club on Sunday.

It was planned by Witney Rotary Club and one of the organisers Bryan Wright said: "Everyone really enjoyed it. We had fewer runners than the first colour run last year but that may be because of Covid and the fact we held it later in the year.

"It’s a family event. The kids really enjoy it and we raised a good amount of money for charity.”

Colour runs have exploded in recent years and have been dubbed the 'happiest 5km on the planet'.

Runners were put through a light-hearted warm-up before jogging, walking, skipping or sprinting around the course.

A pair of funky shades were provided but runners were advised to wear old clothes and to bring something to protect car seats for the journey home.

Everyone was presented with a medal at the end.

The proceeds will go to a selection of local charities supported by the Rotary club.

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Mr Wright said they were not sure yet how much they had raised but it should be around £1,000.

He added: “Thanks go to Witney Town Council for supporting the event and the Rotary club, to Witney Rugby Club for providing the venue and the food and drink, and to Camellia Tree Photographers for taking the photographs.”

Witney Rotary Club is involved in several popular events in West Oxfordshire every year, including Witney Carnival, the Wychwood Forest Fair and the historic Witney Feast.