A friend recently commented on Facebook: "Didn't storms used to be called 'winter' back in the day? " and while it did make me laugh, try telling that to those who have been affected by the UK's recent storms - Arwen and Barra.

The North East was particularly badly affected by Storm Arwen with high winds, rain and snow bringing chaos and destruction to the region. It was so bad in fact that race organiser, Wild Deer Events, were forced to change the location of one of their events - the Christmas Trail Runs (19 December).

Originally scheduled to take place in Chopwell Woods, damage caused by Storm Arwen meant that an alternative venue had to be found, or the event would be cancelled.

Wild Deer's Daniel Flint said: Storm Arwen wiped out hundreds of trees at Chopwell Woods so regrettably we were no longer able to hold our event there this December.

"The good news is that Slaley Hall Hotel have stepped in and so our Christmas event, where friends & family get together for one last run before the celebrations begin, can still take place."

Slaley Hall Hotel is the perfect venue for a Christmas Trail Run on the last weekend before Christmas and the bar will be open for food and drinks afterwards too! There will also be a Christmas raffle, prizes for best Christmas outfit, mince pies and lots more festive fun to be had post race.

The event offers an 8 miler for over 16’s which is one big loop of the magnificent estate, a 4 miler for anyone over 11 wanting a quicker blast and a Santa 1 miler for anyone aged 3-11. (Adults can run with their child for free).

You can find out more at the event website.

Image: Wild Deer Events