David Cameron is well-used to mud-slinging in Parliament.

But the Witney MP and Conservative Party leader braved the ice cold water and mud to take part in the annual Great Brook Run in Chadlington, near Chipping Norton, in west Oxfordshire on Saturday.

Charity fun-runners of all ages and shapes and sizes, some wearing fancy dress, raced half a mile along a muddy footpath from The Tite Inn pub.

On the return leg, runners jumped into the icy waters of Coldron Brook, which leads back to the pub.

At one stage the competitors are plunged into darkness as they make their way through a tunnel.

Mr Cameron, who was cheered on by his family, finished 25th out of 105 competitors and finished in just under 15 minutes.

Afterwards he said: “It was very cold but a great race. I think I came somewhere in the middle, which was respectable.

“It was tough yet good fun and a great way to run off the Christmas turkey.

“I started the race last year and thought that was a bit cowardly so I thought I’d take part this year.”