THE air around Teignmouth beach turned blue – and green, red, and yellow.

Anybody in the area on Saturday was liable to be coated in a ton of multi-coloured powder paint blowing in the wind.

It was all part of the fun for the resort’s first Colour Rush event, when 650 runners – and onlookers – were coated in various hues in a mass paint throw after a 5k run to raise money for the Rowcroft Hospice.

About £40,000 is expected to come in from entry fees and sponsorship, and everybody had a good time, including Libby Vanstone, 19, who said: ‘I wanted to take part because it looked exciting and fun. It’s different to a regular run because you get covered in colourful paint. We had a good time while raising money for other people.’

Teignmouth’s mayor, Cllr Jacqui Orme, who is known for her colourful costumes, was in her element.

‘Being known as the colourful mayor, there was no way I was missing out on the Colour Rush. So many people have been touched by Rowcroft; it is really special and I’m delighted that the hospice has raised so much money.

The money raised will go towards supporting local people and families who are living with life-limiting illnesses in south Devon.

Daniel Robson, events manager at Rowcroft, said: ‘It was absolutely incredible to see so many people get to together to live life in full colour, and support their local hospice.

‘We would like to say a huge thank you to all those who took part; all those who supported our runners by sponsoring them, and our incredible event supporters and volunteers, without whom we wouldn’t have been able to run the event.’

Rowcroft also screened its awareness-raising film, Love Life Every Day.

Rowcroft Hospice chief executive, Giles Charnaud, explained: ‘A lot of people think hospices are just places where people come to die, but Rowcroft is a place where people come to live; enabling families to share precious moments together.

‘We hope that by sharing our film at the Colour Rush, we will help more people to understand what really happens at the hospice.’

It was the first Colour Rush of the summer – the second will be held in Paignton on Saturday, September 17.

Mr Robson added: ‘Registration is now open for the Paignton event, and those who sign up before May 31 using one of our exclusive discount codes, will get £5 off the registration fee.

‘We have a full day of fun planned for the whole family and would love to see the Teignmouth participants there, if they can brave taking on a second round of colour craziness!’