AMID the disappointment of having to cancel their popular Cross Country Club this term, Newchurch Primary youngsters were later able to take part in a rather muddy Santa Dash as Covid rules relaxed this month.

Children, wearing festive fancy dress, enjoyed a run within either their Year 3-4 and Year 5-6 bubbles — all to Christmassy music.

At the end of each run, the pupils were given a Santa Dash medal, a mug of hot chocolate and a slice of chocolate log for their efforts.

The Year 5 -6 children ran just over three miles, while the Year 3-4 youngsters covered 2.75 miles, taking in Christmas lights and a field of Christmas trees.

The Year 3-4 run was led by former headteacher, Jo Payne, a keen runner herself.

The school’s head of PE, Adam Tuck, organised the Santa Dash event.

He said: “The event was more popular than we had predicted, with around 60 taking part, which equated to almost 50 per cent of KS 2 children opting to take part.”