Organisers of a 24-hour athletics marathon to raise money for dying children have blasted "curmudgeonly" neighbours who they say stopped them from using floodlights for the all-night event.

Handy Cross Runners and Marlow Striders running clubs have thrown their support behind a huge, day-long relay race at Little Marlow’s new athletics track from Friday evening for the Make a Wish foundation.

Organisers had been granted a one off waiver by Wycombe District Council to use lighting at the track for the night - which falls near the longest day of the year with hundreds expected to attend.

But neighbours reacted angrily to the news and asked the council revoke the waiver, which it later did.

Savannah Catharine, of the track’s operators Adventure Learning Foundation, said "We helped organise the event and they [WDC] gave us a waiver, but neighbours found out and had the waiver revoked.

This event is for dying children. I’m disappointed the council would agree to something then change its mind.

"I realise the residents do not want the track but it is there now, why can’t people just accept it?

"It’s for the shortest amount of time in the middle of summer. I think they are just being curmudgeons about it."

Organiser Craig Atkins said the event will still go ahead, with runners forced to wear head torches to find their way round the track.

He said: "I’m disappointed; they’re forcing hundreds of runners to run in the dark.

"I’d appeal to their better nature and ask them to stop being so small minded."

The controversial athletics centre on green belt land near Westhorpe Park was unpopular with many residents and conservation groups when announced in 2012.

As a planning condition, lighting after 9pm and use of PA speaker systems were prohibited to protect neighbours.

Valerie Brownridge, chairman of Little Marlow Parish Council, confirmed residents had been in touch over possible disruption.

She said: "I understand that a few weeks ago there was an event at the athletics track when some residents were disturbed by the noise from the loudspeakers which they found to be too intrusive.

"[The event} would involve using a PA system for which no approval had been sought and keeping the floodlights on through the night, in contravention of the planning conditions. Residents were concerned about the impact this would have on them."

The BFP has seen correspondence between the council and organisers which agrees to a one-off waiver from 9pm until dawn on Saturday.

But when contacted this week, WDC said it had changed its mind and decided not to allow the night time lighting after all.

Council spokesman Catherine Spalton said: "After some consideration, we decided that it would not be appropriate to waive the condition around the use of the floodlights at the athletics centre after 9pm.

"We understand that the request for late night lighting was for a charity event. We were pleased to hear that the event organisers have since found an alternative lighting solution and will be using low level solar lights instead."