Around 3,000 women lined up at the start for this year’s Race for Life at Broughton Hall on Sunday.

Both the morning and afternoon events were fully-subscribed and organisers hope the women will have raised around £150,000 for Cancer Research UK.

This year’s event – the seventh to be held on the Broughton Hall Estate – attracted individuals and groups who ran, jogged and walked around the five-kilometre (three-mile) course.

Participants ranged from tots to pensioners Event manager Annette Quarry said: “The event was really inspirational this year with so many amazing people taking part.

“The atmosphere was amazing and everyone turned up despite the weather being quite cold. However, most of the rain managed to hold off until after the races were over before really coming down.

“There was such a huge age range on the course, from tiny little tots to the more mature ladies, and lots of groups running together from local businesses.

“We were absolutely blown away by the response to this year’s event. We are now hoping everyone can take the extra step to get their sponsorship money returned to us as soon as possible,” said Annette.

Race for Life is the UK’s largest women-only fundraising event series and proceeds will go towards supporting the work of scientists, doctors and nurses who are dedicated to curing cancer by understanding its causes and investigating how best to prevent and treat it.

Annette said: “The number of people surviving cancer is increasing. In the 1960s, fewer than three out of 10 children diagnosed with cancer were successfully treated. Now, it’s seven out of 10.

“Today, more than 95 per cent of men diagnosed with testicular cancer are cured and more women are surviving breast cancer than ever before.

“But we still have a long way to go. Despite improvements in treatment, one in four people in the UK will die from cancer.

“Cancer Research UK believes that research is the key to developing better ways of preventing, detecting and treating the disease.”

* See this week's Craven Herald for a "Pictures Special" on the Race for Life