THREE hundred men turned out to help in the fight against prostate cancer with a Fathers' Day run.

The R U Taking the P 5k race took place in Rowntree Park this morning, and saw hundreds of men step out to help raise money for research into the disease.

Organiser Brian Hughes said he was thrilled the with the turnout which included York panto legend Berwick Kaler, who turned up in full panto dame costume.

Brian said: "It was a brilliant event, and everybody got round safely.

"Lots of people turned up in fancy dress, like Berwick, and it was great laugh."

Many runners finished their morning in the Slip Inn where a special R U Taking the P beer created by brewer John Lewis from Treboom Brewery was on sale.

Brian added: "People are starting to realise that something is going on out there with prostate cancer, and men need to pull their fingers out and do something about it like ladies have with breast cancer."

Forty-one thousand men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and all the funds raised by R U Taking The P go to support vital research being carried out by the University of York's Professor Norman Maitland, Brian said.

The Lord Mayor of York Cllr Ian Gillies started the race, which saw councillors Keith Aspden, Neil McIlveen, Chris Steward and Nigel Ayre take part, along with the city's director of public health, Dr Paul Edmondson-Jones.

Around £900 was raised in entry fees on the day, and sponsorship money is still coming in, Brian added.

He also thanked the runners and all who supported the event, and urged people to back his fundraising drive for prostate cancer research.

"If men got together around prostate cancer like ladies have around breast cancer, we could stamp it out."