Beamish Museum's annual Tram Challenge will take place on Sunday, June 27, with a 2.4km fun run open to all ages, and a challenging 10km multi-terrain race.

And, for the first time, competitors are encouraged to run in fancy dress with the theme of "Historic Figures from the Past".

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary takes part in the challenge each year and was at the museum to launch this year's event.

Both races involve runners trying to beat one of the museum's historic trams around the track.

Entrants in the Fun Run will race around one complete circuit of the 2.4km Beamish tramway, while the longer race will see runners follow the same circuit then take a scenic route through the museum grounds.

The museum is joining forces with the Grace House North East Children's Hospice Appeal for this year's event.

Entry fees from the two races will be used to enable disadvantaged children from the region visit Beamish, while sponsorship money raised by competitors will go towards the building of the new hospice for children.

The 2010 Beamish Tram Challenge is supported by Stagecoach, Beamish Wild, Start Fitness and Northumbrian Water and is organised in conjunction with Derwentside Athletics Club.

Entry forms can be downloaded from www.beamish.org.uk or obtained by contacting Suzanne Battersby on 370 4054, e-mail suzannebattersby@beamish.org.uk

There is a limit of 250 entrants for each race.