A group of Burnham residents has launched a fundraising bid to make their dream of bringing junior parkrun to the town a reality.

All members of the team are keen participants in the Burnham-on-Crouch parkrun - a free 5k community event organised by volunteers and held each Saturday at Riverside Country Park, Millfields, at 9am.

The residents now want to create a healthy, safe and fun environment for children to get outdoors, exercise and make new friends with a junior parkrun.

They have permission to use Riverside Country Park, but need to raise £4,000 to cover the startup fee required to run the event - including insurance, defibrillators and equipment.

Sammy Hopkins, one of the organisers, said: "I'm from a team of park runners that are passionate about parkrun and the many benefits it has for your physical and mental health.

"Parkrun has played such a big part in my life personally over the last four years, and if I can share that gift with anyone - especially children - then we're all winning.

"I've gathered together a team of other parkrunners and local friends to try and start a junior parkrun for 4-14 year olds in Burnham-on-Crouch.

"To do this, we need quite a large startup fee - which we're hoping can be raised with the help of lots of locals with the same wish as us.

"Any donations small or large are absolutely welcomed - thank you everyone."

The junior parkrun would take place at Riverside Country Park every Sunday morning, and follow a 2k route for children aged four to 14.

The group has already raised £2,420 towards the startup fee, thanks to kind donations from residents, and members are hopeful that their dream will soon become a reality.

To view or donate to the fundraiser, click here.