HUNDREDS of runners started their New Year resolutions early and worked off the Christmas pudding at the Moors Valley charity run in aid of Autism Wessex yesterday.

The event was sold out and saw 500 people compete in the 10km race and 2km fun run to raise around £4,000. With the youngest contestant at just four years old, the organisers were keen to encourage serious and amateur runners alike to get involved and join in the fun.

See all our pictures form the Autism Wessex 10k race in a gallery here

Paul Reade, community and events fundraiser at Autism Wessex, said: “We had an absolutely fantastic response to this Moors Valley run as it proved so popular that we ran out of places. There is a limited number of runners that the location can safely cater for, so unfortunately we had to turn people away.”

Friends Chris Case, Nicola Tinacci, Diane Rees and Loris Tinacci were taking part in the event for the first time.

Nicola and Diane said they were using it as a training run for the Edinburgh half marathon and as preparation for the New York marathon later this year.

Diane said: “I did my first marathon at 61 and have completed three since then. We’re relieved it’s not raining.”

The money raised at the Moors Valley Country Park race will be used to improve the information and advice service at Autism Wessex.

At least 7,000 people in Dorset are affected by autism and the charity provides high quality specialist services for people affected by autism and associated difficulties.

The charity is currently celebrating its 45th anniversary with a number of events including sponsored skydives in an attempt to raise £450,000.