HUNDREDS of women have been taking part in a midnight walk for charity.

Almost 600 female fundraisers did five and ten kilometre walks around Durham City in the early of this morning (Sunday, June 22) in aid of St Cuthbert’s Hospice.

They set off from St Leonard’s Playing Fields to walk either once or twice around the Aykley Heads area for the annual event.

Before they left they had a Zumba warm up, listened to live music and heard heartfelt testimonies from a series of women whose families have been helped by the hospice.

Durham County Council chairman Councillor John Robinson spoke on stage about loss within his own family.

He said: “This is an incredible event. The whole of County Durham should be proud of what these ladies are achieving here tonight.”

Event organiser Lily Axworthy said: “Once again, the Midnight Walk was an extremely successful event.

“St Cuthbert’s Hospice enjoys a remarkable relationship with the local people and we are so grateful that so many turned out to support us.”