A CHARITY run held in the grounds of a historic country house has been cancelled despite hundreds taking part last year.

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life at Kingston Lacy will not take place in 2014 as the charity reduces the number of the events across the country.

Last year marked the first time the run had taken place at the East Dorset estate in more than half a decade.

Although the day was originally meant to feature a 10km race, this was cancelled in advance due to adverse weather conditions.

Almost 700 runners dressed in bright pink clothes and tutus took part, raising thousands of pounds for the charity.

Liz Frisby, Cancer Research UK event manager for the South, said: “Race for Life raises money to fund life-saving research. So we owe it to our participants and supporters to ensure that we raise as much money as possible in the most cost-efficient way.

“Although 687 women took part at our event in Kingston Lacy in May 2013, entries were lower than anticipated. Taking the costs of staging the event into consideration, we have had to take the difficult decision not to run it again in 2014.”

Those planning to take part in the run are invited to enter Race for Life events in Bournemouth or Poole instead.

Liz said: “We want to express our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has taken part in Race for Life at Kingston Lacy and we hope our supporters will understand the reason for this difficult decision for 2014.”

For more information about Cancer Research UK Race for Life events visit www.raceforlife.org