HALTON’S first female running squad has returned to its roots to launch a year of 30th anniversary celebrations.

Widnes Wasps Ladies Running Club was formed in 1987 when eight local women started jogging in Victoria Park.

Around 30 joined the weekly Widnes parkrun on Saturday to encourage more women to run for fun.

Wasps’ chairman Linda Moore said: “We currently have around 65 members but we’re trying to find everyone who’s been a member since 1987. We’re up to 230 but we know there are more.”

Ove the years, the club has helped many women to start running.

Susan Campbell, 59, from Cronton, who joined in 1987, said: “Wasps have been a constantly positive influence on my life.

“Being a member of a supportive club has made keeping fit and healthy a pleasure. “I hope to see our 60th birthday and look forward to meeting more like minded women in the future.”

Lesley McGann, a member from 1995 to 2008, joined the parkrun with her daughter Catherine, 24, from Widnes, who is following in her footsteps.

Catherine said: “Mum loved it and was surprised how well she did. I joined the Wasps for motivation after recommendation from my mum.

“It’s a great way to socialise with other women and build on fitness and we have lots of fun and laughs.”

Widnes Wasps meet at Birchfield Park Sports and Social Club on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 6.20pm and Sundays at 10am.

Women of all ages from 20-70 run a variety of distances and paces.

Members regularly take part in everything from 5ks, like the weekly free-to-enter timed Parkrun, to marathons, ultra-marathons and trail runs while some simply run for fun.

Former Wasps and anyone wishing to join should email linda@widneswasps.co.uk with their contact details.