IT may not be a record, but I would lay generous odds that it is not far from it, that the Mayor of the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen should still be an active athlete.

John Williams is currently the man in that office and in 1999 he took a national title, no less, when he won the over-65 British veterans indoor high jump championship at Birmingham.

This was nearly 50 years after winning the Lancashire and Cheshire youth title at Liverpool.

Between times he married Sheila, the lady who is now Mayoress, and in 1996 she won the British lady veterans indoor shot championship.

With such a couple in the chair it is fitting that one of the principal contributory events for this year's Mayor's Charity Fund should be a sponsored Fun Run.

This will be put on at Witton Park on Sunday, April 21, starting at the pavilion at 1.30pm.

Anybody who can make their way around one, two or three laps of a one-mile circuit is urged to have a go. Even the elderly, unfit, or even mothers with prams will be accommodated on a lap around the outside of the track.

The aim is to raise as much cash as possible for the Mayor's Fund and participants should find all the backing they can from sponsors to make this a bumper effort.

Sponsorship forms are available from the staff at Witton Park track, Blackburn and Darwen community and leisure centres, officials of Blackburn Harriers, other Blackburn and Darwen athletics clubs, local schools, the counter at this newspaper office and the main reception desk, Blackburn Old Town Hall.

If there are difficulties, a telephone call to George Kirby on 01254 209302 will sort out the problem.

The Mayor's charity is Volunteers Support and anybody who is at all involved in voluntary services and activities will testify to its value.

So that benefits can be spread over a wide field, runners can split the money they raise equally between the Mayor's fund and their own school, club or chosen charity.

Everyone who completes the run will receive a special commemorative certificate to be presented by the Mayor on the day.