WOMEN in the North-East have been getting down and dirty in the fight against cancer.

The Pretty Muddy Race for Life event this year was held at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland.

The 5k run over challenging terrain was held in aid of Cancer Research UK on Saturday.

Martin McGlown, spokesperson for Cancer Research UK, said: "We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported Pretty Muddy in Sunderland, including the hundreds of participants who got down and dirty as they took on the course.

“By coming together to raise funds to help beat cancer sooner, these women issued a defiant message: 'Cancer, Sunderland is coming to get you.

“The funds raised will help Cancer Research UK's scientists in the North-East and elsewhere in the UK find more effective ways to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, a disease that will affect one in three of us at some stage in our lives.”