One of Brighton and Hove's most colourful events is going from strength to strength - well, it does consist of a cast of superheroes. Reporter Andy Chiles went to watch the brave souls taking part in the fourth Superhero Challenge.

They could not fly, they could not leap tall buildings or stop a speeding train.

But they could definitely manage a 10km dash along the seafront.

With capes fluttering, lycra tights building up dangerous levels of static and face paint starting to melt in the hot weather, more than 550 people took part in the fourth annual Superhero Challenge in Hove on Saturday.

Donning outfits ranging from the Incredible Hulk, Buzz Lightyear and Wonderwoman to Supergran, Daley Thompson and, bizarrely, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, the eager crowd sweated in their bulky costumes as they joined the fundraising run between Hove Lawns and Hove Lagoon.

Dozens of Supermen, Batmen and Spidermen set off alongside Batgirls, Ghostbusters and characters from the movie Blade Runner.

The Cat in the Hat chatted amiably to Fred Flintstone as they plodded along while a Supergirl accelerated past them.

They were all led from the start line by a team of roly-poly heroes clad in inflatable sumo outfits but their bloated attire meant they were some way back in the field by the time they reached the finish line.

Samba bands provided an uptempo beat to set the runners off at a bouncing pace while a crew of Penelope Pitstops lined up to take photographs.

The Superhero Challenge was set up four years ago by Brighton and Hove-based charity Passing It On and had just 50 competitors on its first outing.

Organisers Matt Lambert and Jim MacDonald said they were delighted to see how quickly and successfully the race had grown.

Jim, 31, from Brighton, joined the field clad in a precariously tight Wonderwoman outfit He said: "It sounds cheesy to say it but they are all superheroes. They have done something extraordinary with their weekend."

Early estimates were that the event had raised about £15,000 for the charity's two major projects.

It has been responsible for building a school called Tenderfoot near Nairobi in Kenya and has bought land so a secondary school can also be built.

Funds from this year's run will boost those plans.

The charity also runs sporting projects at schools and within communities in East Brighton, which are due to be expanded.

Jim said: "We've set up a new initiative this year as well called Future Heroes, which will basically provide grants for people to run sporting projects in Brighton and Hove.

"We're interested in helping anything which will provide sporting opportunities."

The challenge attracted almost four times as many competitors as it had in previous years, including dozens of youngsters who came for the short distance mini-heroes race.

One Captain America even took part in that event, pushing his toddler in a pushchair, before joining the long distance adults race.

For the first time there was also a shorter 5km course, which was welcomed by many of the runners sweltering in one of the warmest days of the year so far.

After reaching the finishing line Paul Hilliman, from Brighton, gleefully flung off the upper part of his Cat in the Hat outfit.

He said: "I think next year I might try to wear something a little more lightweight. It's been very hot in there."