WILD goose chases are a regular occurrence at the Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, but this time villagers will be running around raising money for a good cause.

Slimbridge residents and staff at the WWT are urging people to sign up for the Wild Goose Chase 10k run to raise funds for the village playing fields.

The money will pay for maintenance to the playing fields, the cricket pavilion and children’s playground.

Ian Bell, a member of the Slimbridge Playing Field committee, said: "Taking part is great fun and will help us raise the cash needed to maintain the fields and continue offering free facilities to the community.

"This is the only fundraising event we organise. Aside from the council grant and the money we get from local sports club, we have very little funding so we are really hoping for a good turnout this year."

The Wild Goose Chase, which is organised in association with WWT Slimbridge, will take runners on a multi-terrain, flat course through beautiful countryside to the River Severn, alongside the estuary and the Sharpness canal and down country lanes with water provided halfway.

Mr Bell added: "The course is fairly flat and easy so you don’t need to be an elite athlete to take part and despite its name it is a well organised race and is a great way to get outdoors and enjoy nature.

"Last year we had over 60 runners and we would love to get that number to 100 this year."

The Wild Goose Chase takes place on Wednesday, September 9 and starts at the Slimbridge Wetland Centre at 6.30pm. All entries are £5 and participants will be awarded a WWT pin badge for completing the race. All running times will be published on www.wwt.org.uk/slimbridge the following day.

To enter make cheques payable to Slimbridge Playing Fields and send to Mrs Judy Chandra, Treasurer of Slimbridge Playing Field, Havayli, Lancelot Court, Slimbridge, Glos, GL2 7BU. Alternatively you can arrive early and register on the day.