Mayor Annie Brewster is not used to being upstaged during official occasions – but she didn’t mind in the slightest sharing the limelight with a bear last week.

For last week Cllr Brewster, Mayor of St Albans, joined forces with race mascot Beechy Bear to help launch the Wheathampstead 10K race and 2K fun run.

The annual event helps raise money for the Beech Hyde Primary School in the village and takes place on Sunday, May 18.

Beech Hyde head Hazel Millard and local children who plan to run in the races also joined the Mayor and the mascot for the launch.

The races have raised £80,000 for the Wheathampstead primary school since they were first held in 2000.

The Mayor said: “The prestigious Wheathampstead 10K attracts so many keen runners as it is, unusually, all off road.

“It is a wonderful example of local people working together to raise funds for a good cause in a fun and healthy way.

“I am very impressed that so much has been raised to benefit local children.

“I urge everyone to come along to this friendly, fun event in May, to run, to cheer or just to enjoy the day.”

The Wheathampstead 10K and 2K races will take place in the Marford Playing Fields and now attracts up to 900 runners for the 10K race and around 600 runners of all ages for the 2K family fun run.

More information about the event, along with entry forms, is available on the website http://www.wheathampstead10k.co.uk/ Late entries for the 2K fun run can be submitted on the day between 9am and 9.50am but no late entries are accepted for the 10k race.