STAFF from an Eynsham printing firm are the latest runners to sign up for this year's OX5 Run.

Print and design firm Blenheim Colour has announced it will be fielding a team of 12 runners in the five-mile race around the grounds of Blenheim Palace, in Woodstock, on Sunday, April 6.

Sales manager Darren Millward said the 12 staff would be joined by the firm's customers.

He added: "There will be men and women in the team, old and young, and we are all looking forward to it - it's a great cause.

"I have run the race for the past three years and my record time so far is about 41 minutes.

"I can run all day but I'm not very fast so I don't expect to record a better time in this year's race. We hope we can raise some money for the children's hospital."

Mr Millward said he often went on training runs around the palace grounds as he lived in Woodstock.

He added: "I often run around the lake with my border collie Lua, which is great exercise for both of us.

"I know Lua would love to be able to take part in the race, but I don't think she is allowed.

"Two members of our team, Chris James and Graham Cripps, are competitive runners, so we expect them to record quite fast times."

Claire Hooper, a spokesman for the Oxford Children's Hospital Campaign, said: "We are delighted that Blenheim Colour have come forward as the latest firm to put forward a team for the OX5 Run."

The £30m hospital opened in January last year and more than 60,000 young patients were treated there in its first year.

A public appeal to raise £15m towards the £30m cost of the hospital has now raised £13.8m.

Singer and actor Jason Donovan will be starting the race for the second year running and organisers are hoping runners can match last year's total of £50,000. Eight hundred people took part last year.

A number of corporate teams from across the county are planning to compete for the OX5 Cup, which was won last year by a team from the Oxford Mail and The Oxford Times.

The trophy is awarded to the team with the lowest aggregate time for its top five finishers.

It costs £10 to enter the race in advance, or £12.50 on the day.

To enter the run, follow the link below or call Penny Hambridge on 01865 743445.