JUST 16 weeks after placing an advert in the Citizen to find runners in Lytham, Bryan Grundy has declared the Lytham St Annes Road Runners an out and out success.

The club now has 40 members and has achieved recognition with affiliation to the North of England Athletic Association.

Included in those members is MP Michael Jack, a keen runner when he gets the chance, who has agreed to be the club's president.

Bryan, chairman of the club, said: "This is a tremendous beginning but the baby has only just been born.

"I hope to see it grow into a great club and become an asset to the town.

"The club is strengthening athletics on the Fylde Coast and I look forward to good relations with the other clubs in the area."

Success is already on the cards as Bryan brought back a prize for first place in the over 60s category in a 10-mile race at Leyland last month, even managing to beat running supremo Ron Hill in the process.

Revealing that the club is open to all standards of runners, Bryan added: "The club's motto is 'fitness, friendship and fun' so if you have never been a runner and would like to start, want to have a jog in good company or would like to race with some of the team, you'll be made very welcome."

The club meet outside the Conservative Club, Hastings Place, Lytham on Tuesdays at 6.15pm and Thursdays at 7pm - and the grass track at Lytham St Annes' High School, Albany Road, at 6.15pm on Mondays.

For more information contact Bryan on 01253 725211, or Chris Dixon at the Citizen on 01253 729081.

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