A NEW 5k race set up to raise funds for the restoration of Rivington Terraced Gardens will take place on Saturday.

All proceeds from the run will be donated to Rivington Heritage Trust who are restoring the gardens with the aid of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Organiser Stewart Jones, aged 59, holds thirteen running events throughout the year with the help of his two sons including “Race the Train” from Bury to Rawtenstall.

The Horwich resident regularly visits the gardens with his running group, Burnden Roadrunners, who use it as their training grounds.

He said: “We thought it would be a really good opportunity to give back as much as we can because we use that area as our training ground.”

Mr Jones has teamed up with the owner of the tea room, Caroline Jones, and her husband Steven Jones who is a trustee of the Rivington Heritage Trust.

Caroline Jones, who converted her garage to tea rooms two years ago, will donate all proceeds taken at the tea room during the event.

The summer’s moorland fires held up restoration work at the gardens for seven weeks. But the idea for the event preceded the fires.

Steve Jones, aged 44, said that as part of the £4 million regeneration of the gardens, the trust needs to raise between £60,000 and £80,000 every year for general maintenance.

Mr Jones said: “It’s something we are going to be looking to do as an annual event.”

The 5k course will start and finish at The Little Tea Rooms at Higher Derbyshires, just behind Rivington and Blackrod High School.

The run takes place on Saturday September 22 at 10am.

Entry costs £5 and tickets can be booked online at https://www.madbullevents.com/registration