The British Red Cross in Yorkshire is making an unusual plea – for bananas, bears, giraffes, dinosaurs, and ‘celebrities’ to take part in the Great North Run.

The charity has a few guaranteed places left for the half marathon from Newcastle to South Shields on Sunday, September 15.

Max Newton, senior community fundraiser for the Red Cross in Yorkshire, said: “Taking on an event like the Great North Run is brilliant anyway. But if you do it in fancy dress it is so much more fun.”

Fundraisers are expected to raise £300 for the charity in return for a place and there is a £49 registration fee.

Visit redcross.org.uk/ GNR or contact Max Newton on (0114) 2427379 or mnewton@redcross.org.uk for more information.