THE recently appointed High Sheriff of Wiltshire David Newbigging raised a staggering £37,000 when he took part in the annual Sarsen Trail 26-mile walk and run on Sunday.

There were about 2,000 walkers and 450 runners taking part in the sponsored event from Avebury to Stonehenge.

It was the 15th year the event had been organised by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Over the years it has brought in tens of thousands of pounds towards the trust's work and the maintenance of its wildlife reserves across the county.

This year there were participants from many parts of the world. The marathon run attracted contestants from as far away as the USA, Italy and Slovakia.

One group of California tourists timed their holiday in the UK to coincide with the walk.

A spokeswoman for the wildlife trust said Sunday's warm sunshine was probably the best weather the walk had ever enjoyed.

Mr Newbigging who lives at Pewsey, is a former chairman of the Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation.

He was given a dispensation to share the money he raised 50-50 with the community foundation.

He set himself a target of completing the event in less than seven hours and many of his sponsors said they would double their money if he did.

Mr Newbigging, who is in his late 60s, also pledged that if he took longer than seven hours he would pay a penalty of £20 for every extra minute.

He completed the 26-mile 385 yards event in six hours 21 minutes and 25 seconds to secure in excess of £37,000 from his sponsors.

The Wiltshire Wildlife Trust is expecting to receive well in excess of £30,000 when all the sponsor money for participants is finally paid in.