HEAVY snow in East Kent has forced the cancellation of the Thanet 20-mile road race on Sunday.

Phil Pittock, of the organisers Thanet Roadrunners, said: "We were expecting more than 700 entrants, making the event one of the largest road races in the UK this weekend.

"We have therefore taken the decision today so that we can contact entrants individually where possible and so that we can give news of the cancellation via the media.

"Parts of the course are under four inches of snow. The M2 and M20 are closed, there are very few bus services running and rail services are disrupted.

"The weather forecast for the next few days is for more snow and severe overnight frosts."

Mr Pittock said the club hoped to re-arrange the race, and entries would be valid for the new date.

If a new date could not be found, entrants would be offered free entry to the Kent Coastal Marathon or the Kent Coastal Half Marathon in Margate on Sunday, September 4.

For further information contact Steve Adelsberg, the race director, on 01843 867169 or sgadelsberg@yahoo.co.uk.