NUMBERS up, weather perfect, lots of winners and a bumper fundraising effort for charity sums up the success of this year's Butser Hill Challenge.

With younger age racers taking to the lower slopes of Butser Hill, and older children competing on part of the climb, the gruelling main course was left to the more hardy individuals and club runners.

"It was a great day, everybody seemed to have a good time although it was quite hot for the adults in the afternoon and we put on extra water," said race director Alan Shons.

With 270 runners racing for the line in all age groups, numbers were up on last year, with school children making up around 15 per cent of the runners.

As a result, more than £4,000 was raised from the event with bucket donations alone racking up £240, all of which will be on its way to Home-Start Butser, the district branch of the country's leading family support charity.

Mr Shons thanked those involved with the event.

"We are grateful to our continued sponsors, Churcher's College in Petersfield, for the work they put in providing trophies and the public address system, the excellent school band. and the girls and boys who make cakes and sell them for the charities," he said.

Mr Shons also paid tribute to Petersfield solicitors MacDonald Oates and Fuller's Brewery for their "generous support".