CHIPPENHAM NEWS: TEACHERS from a primary school in Chippenham will swap textbooks for trainers to raise money for charity.

St Paul's Primary School headteacher Bob Buckley and reception class teacher Hannah Nicholls are aiming to raise £500 by running the Bath Half Marathon on March 14.

The cash will be donated to the Gateway Trust which organises outdoor activities for disabled children.

Mr Buckley said he has been in training for the event and said he would be happy to complete the course in one hour 50 minutes.

"All the fundraising and organising has been done through Helen and her rowing club I'm just joining them for the run," he said.

"It has been difficult fitting training in around our work." Just under 6,000 runners are expected to take part in the half marathon which starts and finishes in Bath's historic Great Pulteney Street.

Official charities include Guide Dogs for the Blind and the RUH Hospital's Forever Friends Appeal.

Race director Andrew Taylor said: "We hope as many spectators as possible will turn out to support the runners and our fundraising activities.

"We have a number of top athletes competing this year in their run-up to the London Marathon and some are seeking qualification times for the Athens Olympics, as well as fun runners and first timers.

"For celebrity spotters, we have plenty of famous faces including sporting heroes and local media presenters."