The sun put in an appearance as the 51st annual Derwen College sponsored walk took place on Sunday.

Hundreds of students, parents, staff and locals took part in the 10km route around Gobowen and the surrounding countryside before finishing off with a well-deserved cup of free homemade vegetable soup and fresh bread back at the college.

For walk veteran Olive Morris is was a momentous occasion as she completed her 50th walk - raising more than £400 this year.

The 74-year-old from Oswestry has raised thousands of pounds for the specialist college - having only missed the very first event - and she was presented with a certificate by Derwen College principal Meryl Green and chief executive Ruth Thomas.

The family of student Carter Gough raised a phenomenal £2,500 through support from friends and family.

The family were given an extra surprise when Carter’s aunty and cousin greeted them as secret marshals towards the end of the 10km route. Jo-Anna Grove and her son Oliver were taken to the marshal points undercover once the walk had started so that they could surprise Carter.

Walkers were also given a 6km option and 1km option around Derwen College’ Woodland Walk to ensure as many students as possible could join in.

Helen Edwards, projects and partnerships co-ordinator at Derwen College said: “It was such a lovely day with a lot of support from local people as well as college students and their families.

"We are very grateful to everyone who came along and raised large amounts of money through sponsorship. I hope there weren’t too many blisters at the end of the day!

“Special thanks to Olive Morris for walking her 50th sponsored walk with us and for single-handedly raising thousands of pounds over the past five decades.”

Money raised from the walk will be added to Derwen College’s £60,000 fundraising target for 2018. Funds will go towards a new therapy and fitness centre, including a hydrotherapy pool.

The college’s next major event is taking place on Thursday, May 31 with the Derwen College Summer Fete.