HUNDREDS of women turned out in the blazing heat yesterday to ensure a charity run was a major success once again.

The Cancer Research UK Race for Life challenge brought women from across the region to Darlington's South Park, where they tackled a 5km route in scorching temperatures.

The race attracted 1,571 entrants and is expected to beat last year's event, which raised £57,000 for the charity.

Many runners wore cards bearing the names of loved ones they were dedicating their efforts to.

Cheered on by friends and relatives, they crossed the finish line to pick up medals marking their achievement.

Pauline Hustwick, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, won The Northern Echo's competition to wear the number one race badge.

The 68-year-old, who is recovering from breast cancer, said: "We were really pleased with the organisation of it and everyone was lovely. It was nice to see so many people who had a cause or a personal reason to be doing it."

The Darlington race, supported by The Northern Echo, was one of several throughout the North-East. One has already been held in Gateshead, and another took place in Newcastle yesterday.

Nationally, Race for Life is hoping to surpass previous years and raise £17.5m towards treating, curing and preventing cancers.