EGREMONT pupils pulled on their rainbow-coloured glasses for their first ever mini colour run.

The event at Orgill Primary School was to raise cash for Hospice at Home West Cumbria.

Around 180 pupils, aged two to eleven years, dashed through clouds of colour as they tore around the course, marked out on the school's playing field.

The run involved volunteers showering the youngsters with powder paint as they pass a series of check points.

Stations were manned by parents and staff members and the children were cheered on by a crowd of over 200.

Pupils were charged a small fee to take part and asked to raise additional sponsorship.

Julie Irving, headteacher at Orgill, said: “The children are all very excited – and so are the staff!

"We like to provide lots of opportunities for our children and their parents to get involved and the response to this particular event has been phenomenal.''

And she added: "We are hoping to raise lots of money for such a great local cause and I’d like to thank everyone who has come along to support us.”

Michelle Pae, an Orgill parent, said: “My children Caitlin and Lewis were so excited to be taking part. They’ve talked about nothing else for weeks!”

Vicky Garraway, a teaching assistant at the Orgill, said: “We were all so excited to have such a big event take place at the school. There’s a real sense of community spirit.''

Parent, Daley Rogers, of Moor Row, said: “It’s fantastic that Hospice are engaging with schools and it’s a great way to introduce younger children to the charity and all the great work it does.''

Friends, Ava Irving, aged 10 of Arlecdon; Dan Huddart, aged 11, of Cleator Moor and Sam Branney, aged 10 of Egremont, said: “We are all really excited as we’ve never done anything like this before. We’ve seen colour runs on TV and can’t wait to take part.''

The schools’ series of mini colour runs precede the charity’s annual fundraising event, the Hospice at Home West Cumbria’s Colour Run, which this year takes place on Sunday, July 3 at Muncaster Castle from 3pm. 1k and 5k courses are available.

Tickets can be purchased at www.hospiceathomewestcumbria.org.uk