The Bells toll 810 for seven-mile sprint

A record-breaking number of runners from across the region took part in an annual seven-mile sprint through the South Staffordshire countryside.

The Bells of Pattingham Run attracted an impressive 810 runners aged 17 to 80 from across the Black Country and Staffordshire and as far afield as Southampton.

The 19th Bells event was won yesterday by last year's runner-up Robin Sedman-Smith, a 30-year-old teacher who trains with Telford Athletics Club.

The biggest group representation was from the Dudley Kingswinford Running Club, with more than 50 entrants.

At 73, Codsall pensioner Brenda Dallow was the oldest female entrant and the woman who had run the event the greatest number of times.

Yesterday's race was at least her 16th Pattingham outing. Brenda, of Wood Road, who took up running in her 50s, said: "My knees are beginning to grumble a bit now but I love this run."

She finished just ahead of Kathy Ling, aged 65, who has set herself a target of running 65 road races before her 66th birthday.

The race is expected to raise between £3,500 and £4,000. Race secretary Graham Tritton said: "We're very grateful to the local farmers who allow us to access their land so the runners don't have to cross any roads."