WILTSHIRE Wildlife Trust has announced that after going for 30 years the Sarsen Trail and Neolithic Marathon will not be going ahead from 2019 onwards. 

The marathon race which links the two World Heritage sites of Stonehenge and Avebury, has been a much-anticipated event for runners who can also enjoy the natural landscape and sights over the Pewsey Downs and Salisbury Plain.

The wildlife trust cited difficulties financing the race, as well as logistical problems.

In a statement the wildlife charity said: "We regret to announce that due to rising costs and logistical challenges, the Sarsen Trail and Neolithic Marathon will not go ahead from 2019 onwards. We would like to thank all the volunteers & participants who have joined us in supporting this event over the past 30 years."

The even was cancelled in 2017 because the British Army needed to use Salisbury Plain for a training exercise.

The trust, which campaigns to preserve the countryside and increase public awareness around conservation issues to protect wildlife, says that to honour the legacy of the event it hopes to "offer a number of personal challenges from next year."

They said they will focus on giving participants access to some of the natural and man-made heritage across Wiltshire in different ways.

Details will be made available on www.wiltshirewildlife.org in the near future.