SCORES of runners braved the elements to take part in a fun run to raise awareness against plans to build an incinerator.

Some one hundred people took part in the 10km run between Longparish and Barton Stacey on Sunday as Storm Ciara raged through the county.

The event was organised to highlight the fight against the proposed massive Wheelabrator Incinerator.

The route passed well-loved views, which campaigners say will be destroyed if the American developers get their way.

The two villages are the closest communities to the A303 Barton Stacey junction where the incinerator could be built.

However the run drew entrants from a wide area, including Andover, Whitchurch and surrounding towns and villages.

Some started from Barton Stacey and others from Longparish, with plenty of high fives as they passed each other while battling the storm force winds.

Cllr Phil North, leader of Test Valley Borough Council, was invited to open the run while fellow Cllr David Drew acted as a marshal.

Organiser Jeremy Barber described the event as “memorable”.

He said: “This event has helped focus on the threat to our beautiful countryside. The weather probably helped create a buzz of fun and achievement.”

A paramedic and first aiders were on hand, but were not needed.

The event raised several hundred pounds for the Keep Test Valley Beautiful campaigners who are gearing up for the next stage of the fight when Wheelabrator submit their formal planning application later this year.