12794/1DEVIZES fundraisers braved soggy weather on Sunday to raise money for local children by taking part in the annual Beating the Bounds sponsored walk.

The 14 intrepid participants set off on the seven-mile course from Devizes Sports Centre in overcast but relatively dry conditions, but it was not long before things got wetter.

Coun Ray Taylor, who organises the annual event, said: "It started drizzling gently and then, at Avon Road, we really got caught in it.

"But we enjoyed the walk and raised £300 for the Mayor's Appeal, so it was well worth getting wet!"

The route of the walk follows the historic parish boundaries of Devizes and fulfils an ancient custom of taking children to the limits of the local area and beating them to impress on them the importance of not going beyond the perimeter.

No children were hit during Sunday's event.

Mayor Paula Winchcombe's mayoral appeal will be going towards Devizes Opportunity Centre's campaign to raise £30,000 to finance essential improvements at their Belle Vue Road headquarters so that it complies with new health and safety regulations. It moved to its current premises in 1984.

The Opportunity Centre has just celebrated its silver jubilee and the fundraising campaign was launched at the 25th anniversary celebrations last October.

Anyone who would like to contribute to the appeal should contact the town hall on (01380) 722160.