DEAL Tri are to stage a 5km Fun Run/Walk along Deal seafront on Sunday, January 2, with proceeds going to Breast Cancer Care.

The organisers are Sally Scoggins and Ian Pettitt, who emphasised: "This race is open to everyone, serious runners, novices, families, you name it.

"We would like all the top local runners but will be quite happy for people to stroll along at the back of the field."

All the competitors, men and women, are being encouraged to wear a bra over their T-shirts.

Sally, a nurse at William Harvey Hospital, said: "The bra idea is a bit of fun but it will also highlight what we are raising money for, and breast cancer can affect men as well."

The idea was prompted by Elaine Williams and Nikki Davies, who are undertaking a sponsored walk of the the Great Wall of China next year in aid of Breast Cancer Care.

The race will start and finish in front of Deal Castle, and the hope is that at least 500 people will take part.

The race numbers are being sponsored by Burgess Hodgson, a chartered accountant from Canterbury, and Jim Gleeson, owner of The Elle bar in Dover, both Deal Tri members.

The Bengal Spice Indian restaurant on the Strand have offered a free meal for two as one of the prizes, and Ian said: "We are hoping other local businesses will offer prizes for things such as the best decorated bra."

Children who take part are being encouraged to do so in fancy dress, with prizes for the best costumes.

The entry fee is £5, and forms can be downloaded from the Deal Tri website at www.dealtri.co.uk, from local sports centres, or from Sally Scoggins at 3 Halliday Drive, Walmer CT14 7AX enclosing a SAE.

Separate forms are available for those competitors who would like to raise more money through sponsorship.

Any businesses who would like to offer prizes are asked to contact Kevin Redsull on the East Kent Mercury sportsdesk, on 01304 238972.