MARY Stevens Hospice is offering six runners the opportunity to raise valuable funds by racing through the heart of central London.

The Oldswinford hospice has been guaranteed half a dozen places in the British 10K London Run and is keen to hear from anyone wishing to pound the pavement in aid of the charity.

Successful applicants will be able to join more than 25,000 other runners on the Sunday July 14 and run past some of the city's famous landmarks including St. James's Palace, Nelsons Column and Golden Jubilee Bridge.

All runners wearing the hospice's vest with pride will get chip timing and an official race photograph.

Vicki Rowles, head of fundraising at the hospice, said: “This is an ideal opportunity for anyone who may be thinking of completing the London marathon in the future to get a taste of running the streets of London or it could be used as a training run.

"Your sponsorship is vitally important to the hospice for ongoing patient care and we would very much welcome you onto our team of runners."

Those interested should send their expected sponsorship total and full contact details to vicki@mshfundraising.co.uk.