HUNDREDS put on their running shoes to raise money for the British Heart Foundation in the first ever Southampton Sprint.

Young and old ran and walked the 3km and 6km routes around Southampton Common.

Many had personal reasons for taking part including Lisa Carr whose two-year-old son Jacob has undergone open-heart surgery. Lisa and her family have been active in raising money for the ward at Southampton General Hospital where he was treated.

Lisa, 33, pushed Jacob and his one-year-old brother Samuel around the course in their double buggy.

"I want Jacob to be a part of this," said Lisa, of Hedge End who hoped to raise £300 by completing the event.

Others taking part included Vera Dove, 67, pictured right, of Holbury, who was looking forward to walking the circuit and raising £210 in sponsorship.

She was motivated to take part because of her husband's heart problems and was accompanied by grandson Chris Crump, 15, of Dibden Purlieu, who is a pupil at Southampton's King Edward VI School.

Maria Smith of the British Heart Foundation said around 300 people had taken part in the race.

She said: "It has been a great success and we will come back to Southampton next year. We are hoping to raise between £5,000 and £10,000 and the money will go towards funding research into heart disease.

"Some of the money will go back to Southampton to fund the charity's research at Southampton General Hospital."