Lydiard Trust has vowed to keep Parkrun free following Bristol Parish Council's decision to charge Parkrun for the use of its grounds.

The Lydiard Park Heritage Trust announced this week that it was sad to hear the council had become the first in the world to charge for such events.

"One of the key principles that shapes the Trust’s bid is that access to the public should remain free," said a spokesman.

"The Trust would like to reassure Parkrun participants that at present we have no intentions to introduce charges for this event and aim to keep it that way. We wish to advise runners and other users of Lydiard Park that should our bid be successful, we have no plans to introduce new charges for any of the existing activities that take place there, and will always look to avoid this."

The Trust said it recognises that green spaces such as Lydiard Park are increasingly identified as important in the health and wellbeing of their local communities and the Parkrun group brings all sorts of benefits to the participants as a sporting and social activity.

"Even if you are not a runner, a trip to somewhere like Lydiard Park has a positive effect on your physical and mental health," he said.

And he added: The Lydiard Park Heritage Trust states: "“Lydiard House and Park is a community asset both from a recreational and heritage point of view. We will keep that fact foremost in every decision we make”