Lady Archer in run to raise money

Lord Archer gave his wife some tips on running

Lady Archer has taken part in a fun run around the centre of Cambridge to raise money for breast cancer treatment.

She was cheered on by her husband disgraced Conservative peer Lord Archer as she ran 1.7 miles in the annual Chariots of Fire Race, on Sunday.

Lady Archer, 58, was running as part of a six-woman team from Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, of which she is chairman.

It was one of Lord Archer's first public appearances since he left Hollesley Bay open prison in Woodbridge, Suffolk, in July.

Lord Archer, 63, was released on parole after serving half of a four-year sentence imposed at the Old Bailey after he was convicted of perjury and perverting the course of justice.

Lord refused interviews

Lord Archer watched with his son William, 31, as Lady Archer completed the course in "16 minutes and something" alongside hundreds of other runners raising money for Addenbrooke's Breast Care Unit.

He was happy to pose for pictures with his wife but refused to speak to reporters.

Lady Archer talked at length about the run and how she had trained.

But she refused to discuss the government's plans to prevent peers who have been convicted of crime from sitting in the House of Lords.

Asked how she viewed the prospect of her and her husband losing their title, she replied: "I am not talking about that."

The Chariots of Fire race, now in its 12th year, sees teams compete for the Sir Arthur Marshall Cup - named in honour of the race's honorary 100-year-old president and member of the 1924 Olympic team.

Lord and Lady Archer live in the village of Grantchester, near Cambridge.