Fell runners have the chance to race TV’s famous Dingle family – all in the name of charity.

Emmerdale actors Emma Atkins, alias newly-wed Charity Dingle, Jeff Hordley, the villainous Cain Dingle, and his younger brother Sam Dingle played by James Hooton, will join Chris Chitle, rogue antique dealer Eric Pollard, and local runners for the David Staff Memorial Fell Race on Sunday.

The five-mile fell race involves 900 feet of climbing and centres on Sunnyhurst Woods, Darwen.

Former Blackburn Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School pupil, David Staff, died aged 17, after collapsing near the end of the 10k Darwen Dashers Road Race in 1994.

He was found to be suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, a condition resulting from the thickening of the heart muscles.

The aim of the race, which has been held annually since David’s death, is to create awareness of heart disease in the young and hopefully prevent unnecessary deaths.

Granville Staff, David’s father, is organising the event. He said: “It is a great day that can be enjoyed by everybody, and we hope to raise as much money as possible so that we can make an impact on other people’s lives.”

The entrance fee of £3 per runner will be donated to Cardiac Risk in the Young.

Supporting the event are companies Akzo Nobel, Crown Berger and Blackburn Sports Council.