HELP was on hand for anyone in distress when Buriton Recreation Ground hosted the sponsored Marvellous Mile.

Around 40 children from Dottie Tots Nursery School in Buriton and Buriton Primary School dressed as superheroes to travel a mile in aid of research into cancer.

The nursery and school teamed up with the Cancer Research UK shop in Petersfield High Street for Stand Up To Cancer, a campaign by Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 to speed up research by accelerating laboratory developments into tests and treatments.

The event was organised by Dottie Tots owner Karen Burrows and children could walk, skip, ride or be pushed to complete their mile.

Shop manager Cora Elliott said: “The Marvellous Mile took approximately 45 minutes to complete on a glorious cold day with plenty of sunshine.

“The children walked, ran and skidded through the mud. Lots of them had made their own superhero masks – we had Batman, Batgirl, Spider-Man, Superman, Supergirl, Hulk and lots of other wonderful colourful characters.

“They were very muddy but happy children and I think they slept well that night. The total raised hasn’t yet been finalised but it will be well over £200.”