Popular road race in East Sussex moved from March 23 to October 5 after police discovered and burned chemicals discovered on the route

The Hastings Half-Marathon has been rescheduled for Sunday October 5 after the event on March 23 was called off due to a police chemicals investigation that led to part of the route being closed for three days.

Sussex Police carried out a "controlled burn" of chemicals, which were discovered in a house on the A259 Marina in St Leonards three days before the race was scheduled to take place.

Runners who had already secured their place in the original event will have their entries automatically transferred to the new date.

More than 3000 runners took part in last year's race, which is a long-standing half-marathon with more than 40 years' history and traditionally one of the biggest half-marathon races in the run-up to the London Marathon.

"We know how much the Hastings Half Marathon means to so many people and we were determined to find a way to ensure it could still take place," said Rachael Wood, managing director Nice Work, who organise the event with Hastings Lions Club.

"The messages of support we received in the days following the cancellation were truly heart-warming and we are so pleased to be able to bring the event back later this year."