RUNNERS braved a snowstorm in Southampton as the first ever Snowflake Run was staged in the city.

As if the weather wasn't already bad enough, hundreds donned their trainers to take part in the 10km run around The Common that had been transformed into a winter wonderland.

The run is a new event which is organised by Cancer Research UK and was the very first one to be staged in the country.

Runners who raised thousands of pounds for the charity in sponsorship for taking part ran through blizzards and snowy scenes, including polar bears, as part of the event.

0rganiser Chris Woods said the event was a brilliant start to a series of similar runs which are also planned for London and Manchester.

He said: "Southampton was really the flag bearer for this event by hosting the very first Snowflake Run for cancer research UK, and the city did a great job.

"It was just fantastic to see so many people turn out and run on a cold and wet February morning."

He also paid tribute to the army of volunteers who began setting up the event at 6am yesterday. he said: "Without them events like this really would not be possible."