People in Brighton and Hove know a thing or two about running a mile. After all it is the place Steve Ovett, former mile record holder, grew up.

So when it came to dashing, jogging, walking and even hopping a mile for charity on Saturday it seemed the city was only too happy to oblige.

Nationally Sport Relief's Mile event raised millions of pounds for a worthy cause and gave everyone a cracking day out.

Sir Henry Cooper was among those helping to land a knockout punch to poverty in blazing sunshine on Saturday.

The legendary boxer was one of thousands of people who flocked to Madeira Drive to either take part or support the Sport Relief Mile, raising money for disadvantaged people here and abroad.

Chantelle Houghton, fiancee of the Ordinary Boys lead singer and Hove resident Preston, clocked up a respectable nine minutes and ten seconds, beating fellow Big Brother contestant Jade Goody by 18 seconds.

Chantelle was mobbed by well-wishers and autograph hunters as she crossed the line, slightly out of breath but looking happy with her time.

She was then whisked away and later appeared with Jade in the Sport Relief Mastermind show on Saturday night.

The pair were in the first wave of people to complete the course.

Afterwards, Jade, who had been in training for the London Marathon earlier this year, looked fresh as she relaxed in Terraces caf-bar.

She said: "I was dead chuffed with the time. It was only a mile whereas the marathon I was training for was 24 miles, no hang on, 26 miles, so it wasn't too bad.

"It was just a privilege to do something for Sport Relief and hopefully encourage more people to get involved.

"Brighton is a super place, the sun and the atmosphere was terrific, you couldn't ask for any more."

Ladies-man and evicted Big Brother contestant Sezer Yurtseven was also in town to support the cause.

He ran in the last group to complete the course. He said: "I'm pretty fit anyway so I haven't really done any specific training.

"I come from an under-privileged background myself so it's an honour really to do something for Sport Relief.

"To see all these people out here on such a great sunny day is amazing and quite humbling really."

Sezer said he loved Brighton and often paid a visit. He said: "The last time I was here was about four months ago and I could not believe how much it had changed.

"The Laines looked very different to me but it's a wicked place, superb." Sir Henry Cooper, who started the second group on their one mile dash echoed Sezer's comments. He said: "The point is, this is doing something to help people both here and abroad.

"You only have to look out there at everyone's faces to tell they are having a fantastic time and doing their bit.

"I can't really speak highly enough about what these people are doing.

"Some of these kids here today will probably get into athletics and be the sports stars of the future so it is not just about helping disadvantaged people. It's about giving everyone a boost."

Jo Brand the comedian also ran in the second group. She finished to rapturous applause, looking flushed but unbowed by the course.

Every runner taking part in the Brighton Sport Relief day, which was one of many taking place across the country, had been sponsored.

Although the final amount raised in Brighton is not yet known, it is thought to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Nationwide millions of pounds has been raised by Sport Relief.

On Madeira Drive, a dance troupe led crowds in a dance warm-up to prepare them for the jog.

Typical of those raising money was a team of four from Sainsbury's in Lyons Farm, Worthing, who together with other staff had raised £5,000.

One said: "We've got all the guys back at the store doing lots of things today, they've got their exercise bikes out and rowing machines and all sorts."

Many of the runners tackled the mile course in fancy dress. One braved the heat in a full gorilla outfit, others were in American football strips. There were men dressed as women, women dressed as men, and people dressed as giant pairs of sunglasses.

Many children walked the course with their parents. A number pushed disabled partners in wheelchairs.

Barry McGee, 56, from Brighton said: "I'm here just to do my bit, I don't care how long it takes me to get round, I'll be happy just to walk it."

Jenny Simmonds, 37, from Hove said: "It's been a fantastic event for everyone and everyone is a winner."

Michael Fiske, 29, from Brighton said: "I'm dead pleased with the time I ran (six minutes 30 seconds) and I feel proud just to be a part of it all.

"The crowds spur you on and you really do feel like your effort has contributed to the overall thing."

An estimated 20,000 took part in the Brighton run and by the end of the day more than 400,000 people nationwide had taken part in a Sport Relief event, burning an estimated 90 million calories.

Half of all the money raised by Sport Relief, which has involved events such as Little Britain star David Walliams swimming the English Channel, is going to be spent in Britain.

The other half is going to children in poor countries, especially those facing starvation, extreme poverty or exploitation.

However, there must be something in the air around Brighton when it comes to doing something for Sport Relief.

David Walliams did part of his training here for his ten-and-a-half hour swim across the Channel and on Saturday all those who turned up for the one mile run also did their bit.

Sir Henry Cooper may have got them under starter's orders but it was the runners themselves, and their supporters, who made the day a knockout success.