CELEBRITY stars from stage and screen joined almost 3,000 runners to take part in the Great Yorkshire Run in North Yorkshire.

Runners pounded the pavements of Harrogate, lining up on Montpellier Hill before passing the sights of the Valley Gardens, the highly acclaimed Royal Horticultural Society’s Harlow Carr Gardens and the Stray on the 10 kilometre route. It is the first time the event has been held in the spa town.

Runners were joined by a whole host of stars from ITV’s Emmerdale such as Matthew Wolfenden, Eden Taylor-Draper, Chris Chittell and Tony Audenshaw.

All celebrity runners were supporting blood cancer charity Bloodwise, the official charity of the Great Yorkshire Run – Harrogate, in association with Theakston, and wore the traditional bright running tops on the day.

Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard in ITV’s award-winning soap, said: “The Great Yorkshire Run has come to such a lovely town like Harrogate for the first time and these fantastic courses are what keep Bloodwise runners returning year after year.

“The atmosphere is amazing and people really make a day of it as well.

“We are supporting Bloodwise, the charity that helps people with blood cancer and it’s so important to keep spreading the word to raise awareness to beat this disease.”

Runners were set on their way by Britain’s most famous WI members, The Calendar Girls, who were the event’s honorary starters.

The Yorkshire ladies are famous for producing a nude calendar which has raised £4million for Bloodwise and inspired thousands of copycats.