More than 360 runners in the Pewsey Vale half marathon on Sunday were nearly left high and dry when 400 plastic cups were stolen from their half way drink station in Beechingstoke.

The running club believes someone in or near Beechingstoke is targeting their events because they had previously had direction markers stolen in the same village.

The theft could have stopped the event, organised in aid of the Help for Heroes charity, because refreshments have to be provided under governing body rules and a club spokesman described the thief as ‘small minded and spiteful’.

Fortunately the club was able to rush replacement cups to the drink station in time and organisers hope to have raised about £2,600.