AN inaugural charity race attracted hundreds of runners and spectators to Leigh town centre yesterday, Sunday.

The first ever Leigh Community 10k started at the town hall at 9.30am with 600 people running, jogging and walking to the finish line in aid of raising funds for Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

A pistol was fired to signal the start of the race at 9.30am by former hospice patient Steve Hook, who was joined by Leigh MP Jo Platt at the opening of the event.

Michael Stewart, 47, from Lowton, was participating at the event with his wife, two sons and sister-in-law in memory of his mum Carol, who had a brain tumour and died at the Hindley hospice in July.

He said: “Mum spent 25 days in the hospice and they were so supportive and so considerate we felt that the family should try and support the hospice as best we can.

"She would be so proud of us if she were here and would have a smile on her face to see us all together like this.”

Kerry Canning, 31, from Leigh, ran with her friend and personal trainer Lauren Bond, also 31, from Tyldesley.

She said: “I needed to lose baby weight and Lauren has been training me so we signed up for the Leigh 10k.

"We are raising sponsorship money for the hospice because it has affected a lot of us in one way or another and it’s a fantastic charity."

Entries for the race were sold out on Friday due to its popularity.

The event also included musical entertainment from 9.45am to 3pm, with The Lottery Winners, Zoe Unsworth, Wigan Ukelele Club, Stetsons Electric, The Lowtones and Natalie Kamhiriri all performing.

A range of stalls was set up on the square outside the town hall too.

Leader of Wigan Council Lord Peter Smith said: "The first Leigh Community 10k was a great success with hundreds of runners from the borough and beyond coming to Leigh.

"It also highlighted the importance of being active and living healthy lifestyles which are key parts of our public health strategy, as well as raising money for vital charities across the borough.

"This was a weekend to be proud of and showed the very best of Wigan borough."

Leigh Harriers and Athletic Club's Dave Smith, from Atherton, was first to cross the finish line.

Money raised for the hospice will go to its Counting on Care appeal which aims to raise £50,000 towards the cost of modernising its Inpatient Unit (IPU).

The race was organised in partnership with Wigan Council, Leigh Harriers and Athletic Club, Rotary Club of Leigh, FCR Events Ltd, Nectar Creative and Time2Run Events.