PRINCE Charles today marked the launch of Sport Relief 2014 by starting a race around the Scottish house he saved for the nation.

The Prince, who was joined by celebrities Alex Jones, Matt Baker and Nicholas

McDonald, welcomed schoolchildren to the garden of Dumfries House, near

Cumnock, Ayrshire, to launch this year's charity campaign.

X Factor finalist McDonald, from Motherwell, joined the excited pupils on the steps of Dumfries House as they warmed up to tackle the course.

Jones and Baker, of the BBC's The One Show, both took part in the race.

As about 50 pupils lined up at the starting line, Prince Charles, who is known as

the Duke Of Rothesay in Scotland, sounded the

Klaxon - and warned them to mind the potholes.

He said: "I do hope all of you taking part all have some very good exercise and some considerable relief by the time you reach the end of the mile.

"Good luck and make sure you high step over the potholes."

The Prince led a consortium that bought Dumfries House and saved it for the nation in July 2007.

The house and estate have been developed as a visitor attraction and the Prince

visits it several times a year.

Pupils from Netherthird Primary and Cumnock and Auchinleck Academies sprinted round the garden of Cumnock House, .

Teacher Anne Mclean, from Netherthird Primary in Cumnock, said they had kept news of the celebrities taking part a secret from the youngsters.

She said: "We have our

senior pupils in primary six and seven taking part and they were all very excited.

"We didn't mention

Nicholas MacDonald to them because they would have gone berserk.

"We were very proud to be here and help launch the first Sport Relief Mile. It was

a great opportunity for our school."

Pipers played as 12-year-old Aidan Hessett, from Auchinleck Academy, became the first to cross the finish line.

The race launched Sport Relief 2014, which organisers claim will be the biggest yet.

Fundraisers will this year be able to walk and swim - as well as run - their charity miles during the Sport Relief Games from March 21-23.

The money raised by the public is spent by Comic

Relief to help people living difficult lives, both in the UK and across the world.

TV presenter Alex Jones said: "We're raising money for a great cause - helping projects in both Africa and the UK - and even as little as £1 can make a huge difference to people who need it."

Nicholas McDonald said: "It was a privilege to be

invited, to do the mile and meet everyone, all the kids.

"It was such a good day but I'm so unfit. I used to go out and play football with my mates before the show

(X Factor) but since the show I've been eating a lot of rubbish.

"I hope people get encouraged by this, though.

"I hope everybody gets their mile done, even if it's running to the shop and back and you get a sweetie after.

"Everybody has to go and do their mile."

catriona.stewart@

eveningtimes.co.uk