More than 300 people joined special celebrations at the weekend to mark the tenth year of a town’s parkrun.

Recording the charity run’s second-highest-ever turnout in Dartford’s Central Park, participants were waved off by council leader Jeremy Kite and Mayor Andy Lloyd, who praised the “fantastic” event.

Dartford MP Jim Dickson took part and afterwards expressed his thanks to the volunteers and fellow participants.

“A huge well done to the team who run the parkrun, all the volunteers and of course all the runners. You’re fantastic,” he said.

A volunteer who helped at the very first event in Dartford described how parkrun, which takes place every Saturday morning at 9am, has changed lives.

Tess Hampton remains one of the small team of run directors who takes charge each week to ensure the event runs smoothly and safely.

She said strong friendships have formed among the people who take part.

“We have celebrated milestones, birthdays, engagements, the lot – even having a wedding parkrun where people ran in suits and dresses,” she added.

The popular event began in July 2014, and since then over nine thousand people have run, jogged or walked the 5km route around Central Park.