FITNESS phenomenon parkrun is coming to Thornbury.

The running craze that has swept the nation in recent years, with hundreds attending each of their weekly free-to-enter 5km runs, will start this month in the town, organisers have said.

Having been in talks with Thornbury Town Council over the past few months to take place on the Mundy Playing fields, they have finally confirmed they have been given the green light.

Starting on November 18, the weekly runs will take place every Saturday at 9am.

Residents looking to get in shape are encouraged to register online to take part, but while it is not strictly necessary, runners will not be given a finish time without it and it gives organisers important contact and medical information in case of an emergency.

Event director Ian Shepherd said he was very excited to get it going, and that "it has been a long time coming".

He said: "We hope that, being something with run in the title, people will embrace the health and fitness aspect of the event.

"However, people can take their time, there is no need to race. It is just as much about community and friendship and that is something I am most excited about."

A spokeswoman for the Town Council said they were “delighted” to welcome parkrun to Thornbury.

She said: “We hope that it will improve the health and wellbeing of local people and increase the number of visitors to the town.”

For more information and to register, visit www.parkrun.org.uk/thornbury.