Citizens Advice Cornwall is issuing a challenge to the public to shed Christmas calories by walking or running the distance of a marathon over January while raising money to help their local community.

People are invited to walk or run 26.2 miles over the month – either in one go or bit by bit.

Launching the fundraising initiative, Citizens Advice Cornwall chief executive, Gill Pipkin, said: “January is a challenging time for many – grey, rainy days coupled with post-Christmas bills.  This challenge is a great opportunity to get out in the fresh air, work off those extra pounds and help raise money so we can help people in our community who are struggling.”

Last year Citizens Advice helped almost 9,000 people in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly writing-off debt worth a total over £1 million and gaining income worth over £8.1 million.