ACTIVISTS hoping to block plans for an incinerator in Beddington Lane feared their case would collapse just 48 hours before it was due to be heard in the high court.

The Stop the Incinerator campaign faced going up in smoke on Tuesday when a donor who had pledged £5,000 pulled out.

It meant the group were unable to fund the legal fees for the judicial review against Sutton Council and developers Viridor.

But, in a frantic few hours, they were able to raise the money they needed thanks to an internet appeal and generous donations.

Shasha Khan, leading the campaign, said the group had managed to collect more than £5,000 and the case, due to begin on Thursday, could continue, though more funds are needed.

He said: "I'm not able to say what happened to the donation but when we found out it wasn't coming through we were really flat.

"I felt a considerable strain on my shoulders and I worried it was over.

"Our only chance was to go online, call in some favours and hope for the best. The response was amazing."

Mr Khan added: "We raised close to £5,200, unbelievably. It was a frantic day.

"I went to a couple of people who had always hinted they were going to help us out but never had done.

"We sent out a message via the GoFundMe website and supporters on Twitter said they would donate. Loads of people got behind it.

"It was brilliant to see hundreds of pounds coming into the account every hour. It was quite extraordinary really. It saved us, it really did."

The campaigners hope to scupper controversial plans for an incinerator in Beddington Lane. They argue Sutton Council did not follow proper planning procedures when it granted planning permission for the facility, which is designed to burn 275,000 tonnes of waste each year.

The group points to planning guidelines which say Beddington Farmlands must become part of the Wandle Valley Regional Park from 2023 and, as a result, the site should be protected. Sutton and Viridor insist the rules were adhered to.

Mr Khan faced an £8,000 bill for his barrister's fees and a further £5,000 to cover costs if the case is unsuccessful.

Even with the eleventh hour reprieve the group needs to find an extra £4,000, a figure which could increase depending on the outcome of the hearing. The result is not expected for several weeks.

"The other side are pouring lots of cash into this which has meant our estimated bill is more than we expected," said Mr Khan.

"Their very detailed arguments mean our people need to more work which obviously costs more money.

"There's a huge asymmetry when it comes to spending power and it's difficult to accept."

UPPER-CRUST, luxury store Harvey Nichols has been put forward as a possible flagship retailer within Westfield/Hammerson's £1 billion Croydon retail development.

However, it still appears John Lewis is in pole position to be the anchor tenant of the scheme - though 'small-fry' Marks and Spencer seem to be out of the running.

Representing the developers' Croydon Partnership at today's High Court judicial review into the plans, Nathalie Lieven QC said she "suspected" it was still the case negotiations were ongoing - particularly with John Lewis.

She outlined why council officers may have withheld information from claimants, saying it may have been because of commercially sensitive negotiations with big stores.

Ms Lieven said the sort of store which could anchor a development this big included Debenhams, House of Fraser, John Lewis and "theoretically" Harvey Nichols.

Marks and Spencer, however, are considered too small.

When asked by the judge Mr Justice Collins whether negotiations had been entered into with John Lewis, she said: "I suspect that is still the case."

If Harvey Nicks, as it is known by many, does come to Croydon it would join its stores in places including Manchester, Edinburgh, Hong Kong, Sydney and the flagship outlet in Knightsbridge, central London.

Known for selling luxury, high-end products - especially the trendiest fashion labels - the store is popular with celebrities including Kate Moss and Victoria Beckham.

KENLEY residents were disappointed yesterday after pub the Kenley Hotel was given permission to stay open until late at night.

But the pub said the extra hours are so they can serve more food and have promised to keep the noise down.

The Kenley Hotel, on Godstone Road, originally applied for permission to stay open until 1am seven nights a week. And they wanted to be able to sell alcohol, play recorded music and serve food until 12.30am every night.

There were 11 objections to this application from local residents, including Kenley Councillor Steve Hollands and Kenley and District Residents Association (KENDRA).

But after talking to the licensing police the Kenley Hotel changed their application, asking to stay open until 12am Sunday to Thursday and 1am on Friday and Saturday. The new application also asked to sell alcohol, play recorded music and serve food until 11.30pm Sunday to Thursday and until 12.30am on Friday and Saturday.

This is the extension they were granted at the licensing sub-committee meeting on Tuesday October 8.

KENDRA vice-chairman Chris Stanley said that the group were disappointed the pub had been allowed to stay open later.

He said: "We feel it is inappropriate for the setting of the pub. There are very near resident's properties and we are concerned that it will cause disruption and noise for residents."

As part of the application the pub agreed to keep all windows and doors closed during entertainment, to have a pick up point agreed with a local taxi firm to minimise disturbance, to put up signs asking patrons to leave quietly, and to close the beer garden at 10.30pm.

Councillor Jane Avis, meeting chair, said: "We have resolved to grant the application. We are satisfied that appropriate measures are being taken to prevent public nuisance."

Aimee O'Reilly, designated supervisor at the Kenley Hotel, said at the meeting that pub staff keep an eye on people in the beer garden when they collect glasses, and they always clear up glasses and bottles left on the ground.

The new opening hours will start as soon as they receive the new license.

She said: "We're very happy. We're trying to take it to a more food based pub and now we will be able to fit in a few more sittings."

YANNICK Bolasie says there is no fallout between himself and former Charlton striker Bradley Wright-Phillips, after both recorded battle raps slating each other's footballing ability. In fact, it's the complete opposite, with both men friends off the pitch and doing their part to promote a new 'Lord of the Mics' compilation album which was released recently. Bolasie and Wright-Phillips, who now plays for New York Redbulls, enjoy music off the pitch and it's certainly not the first time they have rapped in front of the cameras in the Grime music scene. "I haven't really looked too much at the response but obviously Brad and I did it for banter," Bolasie told the Advertiser. "It has got out really far and it's something we like to do when we're off. "The battle raps were literally a one-off but we send each other voice notes, that's about it and how far it goes normally."

Check out Bolasie and Wright-Phillips battle rapping below...

PURLEY residents have written to the council demanding answers about why work to prevent more flooding has stopped.

Residents of Godstone Road, Purley, have sent a letter to the authority after work to unblock the culvert which runs through the gardens was stopped in August.

Eight months ago, flooding in the area forced many residents to leave their homes, with some still unable to return.

The letter said during the floods water was pumped into the culvert in Gable Court, Dale Road, Purley.

Godstone Road homes there were flooded after the blocked culvert was unable to cope with the amount of water.

Residents were frustrated after work to clean the blocked culvert was started and then stopped in August.

The letter said they feel neglected and are angry with the lack of communication from the council about what is being done to stop the flood waters returning.

It added a council report into the flooding, due in December, shows a lack of urgency and gives residents little confidence that the problems will be solved.

Mark Kelly, of Godstone Road, was one of the residents to sign the letter. He was forced to leave his home in February and will only be able to return in a week's time.

He has been living in rented accommodation with his wife and daughter while the flood damage to his home is repaired.

Mr Kelly said residents have not been told why work on the culvert was stopped and they want the council to tell them what is going on.

"Residents are concerned about water," he said. "The council have said it is not going to be that bad a winter this year but the press said the winter will be wetter than the last one.

"They say they have done things further up the road but if the culvert is blocked it will still over flow. Water still needs to run through the culvert."

Residents were also unhappy with the council's repair and renew grant.

The letter said of the £5000 available those who had taken the grant had been charged £500 for a visit from a surveyor in July.

But they have not had feedback on what else they can claim.

A council spokesman said: "We have received the letter from the residents and we note and appreciate their concerns. The matter is currently being looked into and we'll be in touch with the letter's signatories at the earliest opportunity."

A FEMALE cyclist was taken to hospital with head injuries after a collision with a car in South Norwood last night.

The collision happened at approximately 8pm at the junction of Denmark Road and Enmore Road, behind South Norwood Leisure Centre.

Police and London Ambulance Service attended the scene and took the woman to a south London hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

The driver of the car stopped at the scene and was not arrested.

THREE huge films including the third Hunger Games instalment will feature the dulcet tones of Trinity School choirs this winter.

Last month, the school's boys' choir recorded tracks written by renowned American composer James Newton Howard for the score of the The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1.

Year 8 pupil Andrew Sinclair-Klopp then returned to the AIR Studios a couple of days later to record solos for Angelina Jolie's upcoming war drama Unbroken.

And the school's girls sixth-form choir has also helped record the soundtrack to new British drama Suffragette starring Helena Bonham-Carter, Meryl Streep and Carey Mulligan.

Andrew, 12, said: "Although it was a bit nerve wracking to start with I loved recording the music for Unbroken.
"It is very angelic and airy music with no real words. It was really cool wearing headphones in the studio and I felt like a real recording star." 

The boys choir has previously worked on features including 101 Dalmations, The Lord of the Flies and Maleficent.

LOWER Addiscombe Road has been closed towards Streatham after a crash between a car and a motorbike on Davidson Road.

Police were called at 8.10am this morning to the crash between a Honda motorcycle and a Vauxhall Astra. 

A police spokeswoman said there is currently no information about casualties and no arrests have been made.

CRYSTAL Palace boss Neil Warnock has revealed that Scott Dann could start running as early as Monday next week, nine days after injuring the medial ligaments in his right knee. The centre-back went for a scan at the start of this week and it became apparent that he suffered a Grade One tear at Hull City last Saturday and will be out of action for at least three weeks.

"It's good news in a way, and I've been told he could even do straight-forward running on Monday," the boss told the Advertiser.

"It's a grade one injury, which is the best outcome to have.

"I feared he'd be out for a few months."

For the full interview with Warnock on Dann, players away on international duty, loan news and playing a 39th game abroad, don't miss Friday's Croydon Advertiser.

NEIL Warnock says Jerome Binnom-Williams is likely to stay at Southend United on loan until January. The Palace defender has impressed at Roots Hall in his initial one-month deal. Warnock told the Advertiser: "Jerome looks like he may stay on at Southend for a total of three months now. "I don't think we'll need him back so it's good experience for him in League Two. For more from Warnock, don't miss Friday's Croydon Advertiser.

NEW Addington star Gareth Gardner confirmed his status as the top dog at the Queensbury Boxing League after another emphatic victory.

Headlining the big night of championship action at the Epsom Downs Racecourse, the 30-year-old captured the vacant Queensbury middleweight title in front of the capacity crowd.

Gardner stopped West Yorkshire's former amateur champion Tommy "The Machine Gun" Marcon in the second round, unleashing a spiteful body shot that saw his opponent unable to beat the referee's count.

The win extended Gardner's unbeaten run on the show to eight straight victories since joining the promotion in 2012, and cemented his reputation as Queensbury's most prolific champion.

Talking shortly after being awarded the belt, Gardner said: "Tommy was a tough strong fighter who caught me with a couple of hurtful shots in the fight.

"But I felt really good in there and caught him with a lovely body shot that finished the fight.

"Normally I like to give the fans their money's worth and put on a show, but the finish came early tonight so I'm really happy to win another title and make history again.

"There are lots of fighters in the league and plenty more new ones coming in so the shows keep getting better and better, so we'll wait to see what's next for me.

"I'll be back out on November 22 defending one of my belts."

Gardner's victory will be shown on British Eurosport later this month.

NEIL WARNOCK was not happy with referee Mike Dean's failure to spot an alleged elbow from Hull City defender Michael Dawson in Palace's 2-0 defeat at Hull City last Saturday.

Fraizer Campbell was the recipient, but ended up being taken off himself after falling foul of Dean's notebook.

But despite the defeat, Warnock wasn't too downhearted about Palace's performance and said there needed to be more belief.

"I'm disappointed with one or two things but I can't fault the effort, I thought the effort was there," he said.

"We probably needed a little bit more belief. I thought when we went a goal down it was probably our best spell.

"I was disappointed I had to take Fraizer off for a number of fouls which were silly but in the first minute he gets body-checked outside the box, which for me is a yellow card.

"And then just before half-time the elbow from Michael Dawson – I've seen red cards given for less than that and the ref doesn't see that but he sees all the little niggles that poor old Fraizer gets booked for.

"I think he [the referee] should be in a position to see elbows like that and know when it is not an accident.

"You shouldn't be able to lead like that, it is going to be dangerous play.

"They should obviously be educated a little bit better, even though he is one of our better refs."

So Warnock's unbeaten run in the league is over after five games – and now the Eagles will face league leaders Chelsea following the international break.

Nikica Jelavic headed over inside the opening 90 seconds as the home side started off the brighter.

Palace had a chance at the other end when Mile Jedinak curled narrowly over from a free-kick.

But the Eagles suffered an early blow when centre-back Scott Dann had to be carried off on a stretcher as Hull cranked up the pressure to win a corner.

Adrian Mariappa came on to replace him and Martin Kelly moved inside to partner Damien Delaney in the heart of defence.

To Palace's credit, they were hardly troubled at the back despite losing Dann, but they were nearly caught out when Mo Diame played a one-two and delivered across the six-yard box but no one could connect for the hosts.

As the first half came to a close, Hull were a whisker away from opening the scoring when Andy Robertson cut a low ball back to Abel Hernandez, who curled a first-time shot just wide.

Delaney nearly sliced into his own net ten minutes into the second period and then centre-back Curtis Davies placed well over Speroni's crossbar.

But on the hour-mark they deservedly took the lead through Diame. Robertson looked up on the left and delivered superbly for the midfielder to power a header past Julian Speroni from six yards.

Marouane Chamakh and Dwight Gayle came on as Palace changed formation, but it was Yannick Bolasie who nearly dragged the Eagles back into the game when his piledriver from range was expertly tipped over by veteran Steve Harper.

From the resulting corner, the ball was played back out to Delaney, who whipped a ball into the back post but Jason Puncheon's header was poor.

The winger wasted another chance with eight minutes remaining, curling over from the edge of the box after Gayle's shot was charged down into his path.

Speroni was nearly caught out as he went to clear a back-pass when Jelavic charged it down but luckily it went away from goal.

However, the Croatian striker got the better of the keeper in the last minute when he doubled Hull's lead to end the game.

Joe Ledley was dispossessed by Jake Livermore down the middle of the park and the former Spurs midfielder played a superb ball beyond the outstretched Delaney into the forward's feet.

Cutting back inside after Martin Kelly had got back to cover, he shot low into the bottom corner to beat Speroni and end the game.

Palace nearly got a goal back when Delaney's header was cleared off the line by substitute Liam Rosenior from a corner, before Mariappa blocked a Tom Huddlestone effort at the death.

MILE JEDINAK says the international break could be good for Palace this time around on the back of losing to Hull City last weekend, but insists morale in the camp is still good.

The Eagles' unbeaten record under Neil Warnock in the Premier League was brought to an end by Steve Bruce's side, and some players are now playing games for their country.

However, Jedinak says that the focus will swiftly move on to facing Chelsea at Selhurst Park once he and the likes of James McArthur, Barry Bannan, Yannick Bolasie and Joe Ledley return next week.

And the 30-year-old says the squad needs to stay "hungry and focused" under Warnock despite the small setback at the KC Stadium. "The gaffer has stuck by the lads who have got results recently but that's not to say other players aren't in contention," said Jedinak.

"In the next week they will be working hard to show what they can do. We will need that, having the squad competing all over the place. It's about everyone staying hungry and focused.

"We have time now to get the Hull result out of our system, to regroup and to get our gameplan spot-on for the Chelsea game.

"The boys will have a little bit of time to themselves but they'll have it in their minds that if the discipline state remains the same, then maybe a result like last season against Chelsea can happen.

"It's something to keep working on, improving ourselves and striving on when it's not looking good and dig deep.

"At the end of the day that's what our success has been built on and that shouldn't change.

"Morale is certainly not down, the boys accept the Hull defeat for what it is. We know we could have done better with the goals conceded and it's something we can't dwell on.

"That's why the international break is good, so you can get things out of your system then it's ready to go. The boys have an opportunity to step away for a bit then come back as hungry as ever to do well.

"I am playing in the Middle East over in the United Arab Emirates and Qatar for Australia but once I get back I'll be ready with my Palace cap back on."

Losing defender Scott Dann after just 12 minutes last Saturday was a blow to everyone at Palace, and Jedinak says that depending on how long the centre-back is ruled out for, it is an opportunity for someone else to come in and "step up".

Martin Kelly was the man to move to the heart of defence as Adrian Mariappa came on and played at right-back against the Tigers.

"You have to get on with the job but Scott's a massive influence at the back," said the captain.

"He's a big organiser, he's vocal and he likes to lead by example. Obviously he's been a big part of our success this year and losing him is very unfortunate.

"It is now a chance for someone else to come in. Adrian did well when he came on and Martin did well stepping into centre-back.

"The gaffer wasn't afraid to put him there and we all know what he's about. He can play at right-back and centre-back, and I felt he gave a good account of himself.

"It's something we have to deal with. Unfortunate circumstances can happen in football, that's the nature of the game.

"I don't think his injury shook us up too much but he's a huge loss for us. Hopefully it's not a long lay-off.

"Whoever gets the opportunity to come in has to step up and deliver."

JOE LEDLEY knows he was to blame for a rare mistake which led to Hull City's second goal last Saturday.

The Welshman has been outstanding for the Eagles since arriving in January, and with Palace chasing the game and looking for an equaliser, Ledley lost the ball to Jake Livermore, who created Nikica Jelavic's finish.

The central midfielder wants to move on quickly and is set to take part in a couple of European qualifying games for Wales during the international break, starting with Bosnia tonight (Friday).

"They were sloppy goals to concede and a mistake by myself," he said.

"We're not normally like that but it was just a bad day at the office.

"We played good football at times but we didn't hurt them as much. It's time to move on.

"Hull have a good team who we hadn't played against. I thought we battled. The referee may not have helped us as much.

"To be fair I never really make mistakes and I should have just played the ball. I held my hands up, I'll move on and these things happen in football.

"We were under the cosh and were trying to get forward. With things like that you do get caught on the counter-attack.

"Hopefully, a couple of weeks off will help clear our heads. Maybe breaks like the one now are good when you lose as you can big yourselves back up again.

"The lads have been brilliant in the last few games and we can't let one defeat affect us.

"We'll always have ups and downs. That's what being a footballer is all about and we have to be professional, build yourself up and go again."

Ledley hopes to see Scott Dann back in action as soon as possible after the defender damaged his medial ligaments in right knee early on at the KC Stadium.

"He's been brilliant since he's come in, he's a leader and he's done well for us," said the January signing.

"We don't want to see people like that get injured. It was a freak injury, the ball ricocheted off him and twisted his knee. Hopefully he'll be fine."

ADRIAN MARIAPPA is hoping to take his chance back in the starting XI after coming on after just 12 minutes at Hull City last weekend.

The former Reading man has found himself on the substitutes' bench in recent weeks, with manager Neil Warnock preferring Martin Kelly at right-back.

However, with Scott Dann injuring his medial ligaments , it could mean Mariappa will find himself starting the next few games.

"Whenever I play, wherever I play, I'll always give everything," he said. "Martin is like most full-backs out there, like myself and Joel Ward – we all started out as centre-halves.

"I thought Martin did well when he went in there. Wherever we play, if we're not playing, all the lads are pulling in the same direction.

"But when you do play you want to take your chance. As a sub you've got to be ready and warm-up well. I just went straight into it.

"Hopefully, it's not too serious with Scott. He's been a massive part of what we've achieved at this club in the last year.

"I hope it's not too bad for him and he's back playing sooner than later.

"I haven't played too much this season yet but I thought in the first half at Hull we linked up well down the right, like we did in the latter part of last season.

"That was pleasing and a bit better quality on the crossing and it may have come to something. That's positive from my point of view going forward."

Mariappa had been called up to the Jamaica squad for the game with Japan, but on Thursday morning national team manager Winfried Schaefer revealed that he had received a message from the defender that he was dropping out of the squad for what was believed to be injury concerns.

RUGBY World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson was at Streatham-Croydon this week for a rugby festival.

The former England star, who won the Webb Ellis trophy in Australia in 2003, visited the club to meet students and teachers from 14 local schools as an ambassador for All Schools – a programme designed to increase the number of secondary state schools in England playing rugby union.

He was accompanied by Women's Rugby World Cup winner Emily Scarratt.

They took part in a kit-design workshop, as well as hosting a workshop on being part of a team and coaching the lucky students at the All Schools festival.

The objective is to have 400 schools enrolled by next year's World Cup and 750 schools by 2019.

Wilkinson said: "It's been great to come to Streatham-Croydon and meet some of the students and teachers who are benefiting from All Schools.

"I felt strongly about getting involved with the programme, as I think it will make a difference to people and communities across the country.

"Rugby's not just running around chasing a ball, it is about being part of a team and changing your life.

"As I've seen here, it can have such a positive impact and energy for so many people."

Also attending the event was the Minister for Children & Families, Edward Timpson.

The Department for Education has given £820,985 of ring-fenced funding in 2013-14 to primary schools across Croydon to improve their PE facilities.

PALACE boss Neil Warnock has revealed that Scott Dann could start running as early as Monday next week, nine days after injuring the medial ligaments in his right knee.

The centre-back went for a scan at the start of this week and it became apparent that he suffered a grade one tear at Hull City last Saturday and will be out of action for at least three weeks.

That means Dann will definitely miss the Premier League games against Chelsea and West Bromwich Albion that are coming up.

However, depending on how the 27-year-old's recovery process goes with first team physio Alex Manos and his response in training, it could be up to a maximum of six weeks.

A return for the match against Sunderland at Selhurst Park on Monday, November 3 could be the earliest date in mind, and Warnock admitted that he feared he was going to lose the former Blackburn Rovers man for "a few months".

"It's good news in a way, and I've been told he could even do straight-forward running on Monday," the boss said.

"It's a grade one injury, which is the best outcome to have.

"It could be three weeks until he's back but then again it could be six.

"When you start training you don't really know, but it's a lot better than I thought. I feared he'd be out for a few months, if I'm honest.

"If he had put a bit more weight on the knee as he's blocked the ball, that might have caused a bit more of a problem."

Warnock is set to travel north of the border to watch two of his Eagles in action on international duty this weekend, while he revealed that Palace have done their best to accommodate Yannick Bolasie on his return, just 48 hours before facing Chelsea.

The winger suffered a "nightmare" trip home last month before playing against Burnley, but this time Palace have secured him a better standard of travel back to the United Kingdom.

"What we've done this time is different," said Warnock. "We have booked the flight for Yannick coming back in business class so he can get stretched out and relax. It's a decent flight back through the night as well.

"He'll get his rest that way and that's the best thing we could do in the circumstances really.

"He had an unbelievable journey home last time. The airport was closed, he had to get a coach, it was a nightmare for him.

"All the players who are away are responsible and they will come back as soon as possible though. It's only Yannick who I feel sorry for.

"The lads here have continued to train and we've managed to have a long weekend, and it's nice at this stage to have a break with your family too.

"I'm going up to Scotland this weekend to watch Barry Bannan and James McArthur in action."

PLAYING a Premier League game abroad appeals to Eagles boss Neil Warnock – only because the financial gains are equal for all clubs in the top flight.

The idea to play a 39th game has been suggested once again this week to boost the product of the Premier League.

And Warnock believes fans can travel around the world to watch their side if clubs help with the costs too.

"Before, it was just the big clubs who were going to make money out of the idea," said the manager.

"But now they're saying everyone will get the same amount.

"So if it's going worldwide and we're all going to get the same money, I can't see a problem with it really.

"OK, the travelling would be difficult but it would be the best same for everybody. If clubs are going to make money I think the clubs could even subsidise fans who want to go."

Meanwhile, following the loan departures of Paddy McCarthy and Peter Ramage last week, Warnock says there are no other imminent deals in place although he did reveal that young left-back Jerome Binnom-Williams looks set to extend his stay at Southend United.

"We're hoping some of the younger players will go and get some games but I have not heard anything more," he said.

"Jerome Williams looks like he may stay on at Southend United for a total of three months now unless we need him badly to come back.

"I don't think we will need him back so it's good experience for him in League Two. Phil Brown rang me this week and said he's pleased with him so he'll keep an eye on him and that's fine.

"With Paddy, I talked him into going to Sheffield United. He wanted to go to a Championship club but it's more important he has around six games to see how his fitness is without overstretching himself."

THERE is a little more than week to go until the annual Lexus Croydon 10K comes to town – one of the most popular road races held in the region.

This well-established race, hosted by Croydon Harriers, will be taking place on Sunday, October 19, and normally attracts about 500 runners.

The race often features some of the best athletes in the region and starts at Lloyd Park Avenue before heading out to Sandilands and the surrounding area.

Large contingents from local clubs Striders of Croydon, Collingwood AC and South London Harriers are also expected to be in action.

There is also a corporate team challenge with squads from Trinity School and Southwark Council already entered.

Prizes are on offer for all age groups from junior men and women to veterans over the age of 80.

Runners of all abilities are always welcome to enter and for many runners every year this is often their first-ever event.

For budding young athletes there is always the 3km fun run, which always proves a popular event for nine to 14-year-olds.

For entry and event details, go to www.nice-work.org.uk/events The race is organised by Croydon Harriers – an athletics club based at Croydon Sports Arena that caters for all ages and abilities. For more details, visit www.croydonharriers.com