Thirty five officers and staff members across Wiltshire Police are under way on their quest to run 250 miles each in 125 days.

The ‘Run to Remember’, which began on Sunday, has been undertaken by officers and staff across the country in memory of PC Nicola Hughes and PC Fiona Bone, who lost their lives in a targeted gun and grenade attack in Manchester last year.

Since their tragic deaths, the PC Nicola Hughes Memorial Fund has been established by Nicola's family and her father, Bryn Hughes, has called on runners from police forces up and down the country to take part.

Hoping to get 10 people from each force to participate, the response has exceeded that number with 35 from Wiltshire alone joining nearly 1,600 nationally. Each participant has signed up to run an average of two miles a day until April 4, with each agreeing to raise a minimum of £100 in the process.

Proceeds from the ‘Run to Remember’ will go to Care of Police Survivors (COPS), Victim Support and the North West Police Benevolent Fund, the charities chosen by Nicola's family.

Sergeant Louis McCoy, based at Chippenham, is one of the runners taking part, and he said: "We put the call out and people came running, quite literally.

" It’s hugely encouraging to see the number of colleagues that have got involved and we hope to raise a lot of money for this worthy cause. It is a big commitment but everyone wants to do their part for our fallen colleagues."

Chief Constable Pat Geenty said: "The tragic events of last September made us all draw breath and reflect on the dangers that come hand in hand with policing.

"‘It’s great to see so many of our officers and staff involved in this event and I shall be encouraging them all the way."