An explosion of colour engulfed almost 750 runners as a charity staged its biggest colour run yet.

More than 1,000 people flocked to Muncaster Castle for the third annual run which is expected to have raised £40,000.

This is the third year in a row that the Frost-Pennington family have allowed Hospice at Home West Cumbria to hold their event at the castle.

Runners could again choose from a 5km or 1km course but this year organisers added an innovative twist by offering a series of giant inflatables on the last leg.

With almost 200 more runners than last year and the highest number of runners on record, it is thought that this might be the most successful year yet. In addition to the runners, there was a supporting crowd of more than 750.

Participants and their families travelled from across the county and beyond to take part and were treated to live music from local band, Kin in association with CFM, giant inflatables, mega slides, roaming entertainers, a warm-up session from Moky Fit, face painting and a barbecue.

A number of charities across Cumbria have used colour runs as big fundraisers in recent years.

Barbara Hammond and her colleague Denise Combe, from Workington, did the 5km course with Denise’s daughter, Sophie, aged nine.

Barbara said: “We work at Hames Hall, a care home in Cockermouth, and we have been working with Hospice at Home for some time now. They have been brilliant at helping us with end-of-life care and support.

“We took part last year and had so much fun we wanted to do it again. We just wanted to give something back to the organisation. It’s such a great cause.”

Rob Walker, chairman of Hospice at Home West Cumbria Trustees, said: “We’d like to thank everyone who has come along to support us. The atmosphere has been incredible. And of course, we’d like to thank the team at Muncaster for allowing us to use their wonderful grounds. The setting is perfect.”

For more information on Hospice at Home West Cumbria call 01900 873173.

*More pictures – see Thursday’s Whitehaven News .