Hundreds of people were given their starting orders by Inspector Morse author Colin Dexter who sounded the klaxon at the start of the Blenheim Bolt yesterday.

The Oxford author gave words of encouragement to those who were about to undertake a 10k run through the undulating grounds of Blenheim Palace in Woodstock.

It was a perfect morning for running - or walking for those who preferred a more leisurely pace - and thousands of pounds has been raised for the British Heart Foundation.

People of all ages, and of all shapes and sizes, took part in the event, including the headteacher of Orchard Meadow Primary School in Blackbird Leys, Chris Phillips, who joined other members of staff.

Mr Dexter, who lives in Banbury Road, Oxford, told the gathered runners that heart disease was a "far deadlier killer" than he had ever been - the death count in the Inspector Morse novels reached 90.

"Every family in the UK had lost someone close to them, whether a family member of a close friend, through heart disease," the author added.

And Mr Dexter - who said he used to run but now gets puffed out running for a bus - urged runners not to be shy in collecting sponsorship money.

Speaking after the race, Mr Dexter said: "A great deal of money is lost because people are too shy, or too diffident, to go round to people and ask for their £5.

"I urged people to make sure they get their sponsorship forms paid off."

Mr Dexter said it was a perfect day for running and he was really impressed by the good spirit - and the good times - of those who took part.

"It was a really enjoyable day and the Gods were smiling on us as it was such good weather."

The BHF funds a cardiac liaison nurse at the John Radcliffe Hospital, in Oxford, and last year's Blenheim Bolt helped raise money for a paediatric transoesophageal probe, which takes pictures of the heart to show its structure and how it is working.