Day off teaching for racing Dorset staff

Teaching will take a back seat for a day in September, when eight Dorset teachers participate in a fun run.

Dressed in traditional academic dress - a gown and mortarboard - the educational professionals will take part in the Great Samaritans' Race, reports the Dorset Echo.

They will be running in a bid to raise money for the emotional support service the Samaritans, which organised the event.

All the teachers participating are from schools in Weymouth and Portland.

Schools partnership development director for the two areas Dale Rhodes told the paper the staff are "delighted to be running", adding: "We are hoping our entry will trigger other community groups into doing something similar."

Married PE teachers Alison and Andrew Symington will also be donning their running shoes in September, when they take part in the Great Yorkshire run, reports the Portadown Times.