Hundreds of pupils took part in a charity fun run at the weekend in honour of a former teacher.

Pupils from Banstead Junior School in The Horseshoe raised £650 for national charity Phab by taking part in the first ever ‘Martin Long Charity Fun Run’ at Nork Park in Banstead on Saturday, March 10.

The charity, which has a club in Epsom, allows both able bodied and disabled children to mix and take part in activities.

The event, which included a one mile and three mile race, was organised by Tracey Thompson and Kim Fitzsimons, the school’s netball teachers, in honour of their former colleague Martin Long who retired as director of sport last Christmas. Mrs Thompson said: "We felt after 35 years he should be recognised for his dedication to sport as he’s done an awful lot for the children and for the community. We just wanted to do something to commemorate him and say thank you because he’s influenced an awful lot of children over the years particularly in running so this was quite fitting."

She added: "I was really pleased with how it went. We had lots of current as well as ex pupils. Mr Long ran both races and I think he enjoyed that. We were absolutely thrilled. The weather was brilliant and it couldn’t have gone better really."