ONE of the England international Neville siblings and the mayor of Ellesmere Port helped launch the town’s first ever Sport Relief Mile on Sunday.

Netball star Tracey Neville, twin sister of Everton footballer Phil, took part in the mile charity run along with Dee 106.3 mascot Chester the Cat and 1074 Ellesmere Port Squadron Air Training Corps, who marched behind the main milers.

Around 200 fundraisers, dressed in everything from running gear to fairy costumes, tackled the course at Whitby Park, before some more hardened runners attempted the three and six-mile events.

All the runners raised money individually for Sport Relief, which uses money in Britain and abroad to help those in poverty.

The mile was organised by Active8 Leisure and Anna Jackson, assistant street sport activ8er for the not-for-profit trust, said: “We kept the numbers low this time as it was the first event in Ellesmere Port but the response was brilliant.

“There were around 300 people in total taking part and the park can accommodate more, so I can’t wait for the next one in two years, when we hope to expand it.”