HORDES of bloodthirsty zombies descended on Rawtenstall yesterday in a bid to take part in a promotional video.

Bank Street and Marl Pits hosted the gathering, which offered participants free entry to the ‘Run of the Living Dead’ event next month.

I Love Rossendale, a social enterprise that aims to bring tourism to the area, was behind the stunt and hoped to persuade hundreds to be chased by zombies around a 5km obstacle course on Saturday, October 25.

Money raised from the event in October will be donated to Rossendale Cash For Kids which was set up by I Love Rossendale.

The group need to raise £5,000 for it to be registered as a charity.

Organiser Andrew Thomas said: “Everyone went a bit mad which was great and we will hopefully have a lot of people taking part next month.

“The whole idea of an event like this is to try and get people to come to the area and for regeneration to start.

“We also want to raise as much money for Rossendale Cash For Kids as we can, which will go to help children in the area.”