A ROAD run, that has sparked international interest, is expected to have the highest number of entrants in its history.

The Darlington 10k road run has been swamped with hundreds of entries from runners eager to sign up to the event.

Race organisers believe the total number of runners for Sunday's event will be more than 1,000 with majority of people registering for the race on the morning of the event.

Last year there was 1,000 runners and organisers hope they will beat the total this time round.

The charity race, which has raised between £30,000 and £40,000 for good causes, has had inquiries from as far afield as Japan and Jersey.

Jeff Dawson, of Darlington Borough Council's leisure services department, said: "We are expecting the number of runners will be close to 1,000 but we usually get a lot of people registering on the day. We are expecting a very good turn out.

"Anybody who wants to enter the race should get here early because it gets very busy at the registration desk."

Runners can register for the race from 8.15am this morning at the race desk in the Dolphin Centre.

The 2km fun run will be the first race to be held. It will start at 9.15am.

For the first time a run for young athletes, aged between 13 and 16 years old will take place. The junior road run, which is 3.5km, will start at 9.45am followed by the 10k road run at 10.30am.

There will be a number of road closures throughout the town centre while the road run is taking place from 7am to 1pm.

Darlington Harriers and Rotary Club members will provide marshalls at all road junctions.

Darlington's CD Bramall Ford Dealership is the main sponsor of the event for the second year running and it is also supported by The Northern Echo and radio station Alpha 103.2FM.

ROAD CLOSURES: Horsemarket, Bull Wynd, East Row (from Backhouse Hill to Horsemarket), Tubwell Row (from West Row to Crown Street), West Row, Prebend Row, High Row, Post House Wynd, Skinnergate, Priestgate, Northgate (from Prospect Place to Crown Street), Prospect Place, Bondgate (from Prospect Place to inner ring road), Commercial Street (from Bondgate to King Street), Duke Street (from Raby Terrace to Skinnergate), Houndgate (from Beaumont Street to Blackwellgate), Blackwellgate, Coniscliffe Road (from Larchfield Street to Blackwellgate), Stanhope Road between 10.15am and 11.30, West Street from 9.30am to 12pm and Coniscliffe Road (from Victoria Road roundabout to Elm Ridge between 9.30 and 12pm.

The council will endeavour to reopen the roads to normal traffic as soon as possible.