AROUND 400 runners braved the elements and showed a clean pair of heels to complete the five-mile Bury Fun Run.

And also showing their support were a trio of TV “soap” stars.

Coronation Street’s Georgia May Foote, former Hollyoaks actress Gemma Atkinson and ex-Emmerdale favourite Lisa Riley were among those who joined the fundraisers at Sunday’s event.

Proceeds from the fourth annual run will be divided between the Joe Geeling Trust and Bury Hospice. Once again, Lavender Hotels were the main sponsor of the run which started and finished at the Bolholt Country Park Hotel in Walshaw.

Lisa Riley and Tom Geeling, father of murdered schoolboy Joe, officially started off the race. Gemma Atkinson was among the runners, although Georgia May Foote had to pull out at the eleventh hour. But she and Lisa cheered on the participants. Proceeds will mean that the fundraising total since the event began will top £20,000.

Over the years, the race has raised more than £19,000 in memory of Joe Geeling, supporting the Cystic Fibrosis Trust and the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital. And for the first time, Bury Hospice will share in the money raised to help fund the cost of a new building.

Race organiser Vicky McLeod, leisure club manager at Ramsbottom’s Old Mill Hotel, said: “The whole event was brilliant and around 400 took part. It was a shame about the weather as it rained all the way.

“We are just very grateful to everyone who took part in this very worthwhile event that is so close to Bury’s community.”

Other attractions included stalls, fairground rides and a raffle.

l—Rob Potts, from Bury, was the winner of the run while Christine Cooke, aged 14, was the first girl to finish.