AN annual road race will be tinged with sadness this year after the death of a popular veteran runner.

Jack Riley, who died earlier this year, aged 79, had been a regular runner in the Lancashire Sports Repairs (LSR) Cliviger 6 Road Race in Mount Lane since it started 24 years ago.

A trophy has been dedicated to his memory and will be given to the oldest male competitor in the race.

The event is expected to bring runners from all over the north of England to Cliviger.

Eric Wrathall, race organiser, said: "I think it is a fitting tribute to Jack. He was always there in the race and in recent years he was always the oldest competitior.

"He last took part in 2000. If he wasn't running all the time he would carry on walking. He was a good athlete in his day but for him it was the taking part that was important not the winning."

Jack who competed for Clayton-le-Moors Harriers was a popular figure throughout the amatuer running circuit.

He set records for veteran runners and also raised money for charity, including donations to Primrose Hill Special School in Harrogate Crescent, Burnley, by doing marathons.

The Cliviger 6 is the tenth race in the Pendle and Burnley Grand Prix and all money raised in the race is donated to Cliviger Recreation and Community Association.

The race is sponsored by Shanks Waste Solutions of Cliviger and Keith Walton Brickwork of Nelson.

It starts at 11.30am at the Mount Lane Playing Fields, Cliviger on Sunday.

Entries and registration start from 10am with tee-shirts for all entrants and prizes being given after the race at the Gordon Lennox Arms.