TRAIL running events are set to be held in the Ribble Valley for the first time later this summer.

Mark and Claire Edlington-Booth relocated their business Onward and Outward from Clitheroe town centre in their bid to host the events.

The outdoor walking shop, which they took over three years ago, was based in King Street for 13 years before it was moved to Backridge Business Centre two weeks ago.

The shop, which currently employs three people, could take on up to three more members of staff if the trail runs are a success.

Trail running is similar to cross country running but is held over a much longer distance.

Mark and Claire are finalising plans for future events and scouting locations in an attempt to make them must-go events to be held all around the borough.

Popular races in Europe include the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc over 103 miles, the 52-mile Transvulcania in Spain and the 72-mile Madeira Island Ultra Trail in Portugal.

Mark said: “These days small businesses need to be more than just a shop.

“We needed to diversify and being in the town centre stopped us from doing that.

“There are currently no trail running events held in the Ribble Valley but there are loads across the rest of the North West so there definitely is the demand.

“We want to turn the shop into more than just a retail unit and we think this is the best way to do that.

“It’s obviously cheaper to run a business from where we are now but the main reason behind the move was to run these events.

“Trail running events are something our customers have asked about for a while now and they are very enjoyable.

“The Ribble Valley is a perfect place for it because a lot of it is very beautiful.”

The venture comes as a planning application has been submitted to the borough council to change the use of the vacated Clitheroe building into a cafe.

Clitheroe businessman Kevin Horkin, who owns four shops in the town, is set to take over the premises for two months while the planning application is debated by the council.

The pop-up shop will be called ‘Labels For Less’ and will sell clothes for women. The move will see two members of staff seconded from Mr Horkin’s other stores.

Nigel and Kellie Rea have made the change of use application.