UP to 800 women are expected to take part in a hospice’s biggest fundraising event of the year this weekend.

This year’s Midnight Walk for St Cuthbert’s Hospice, in Durham City, takes place late on Saturday night.

Since it was first held in 2007, the event has raised more than £360,000 for the Merryoaks hospice.

The evening will begin at St Leonard’s RC School playing fields, near County Hall, Durham, at about 11pm with a performance by a fire eater. There will be live music from North Tyneside Steel Band and East Durham College samba band.

A fitness instructor from Zumba Fitness with Mandy will then take walkers through an energetic warm-up, before television agony aunt Denise Robertson officially starts the 10km-walk.

All ladies taking part will receive a free goody bag, refreshments, a T-shirt and a medal.

Laura Barker, the hospice’s event organiser, said: "Each year we are heartened by the level of support and dedication that local ladies show towards the Midnight Walk.

"We are really looking forward to Saturday night and can’t wait to see the hundreds of women who are so committed to raising funds for local people."

All sponsorship raised will help the hospice provide free care for people with life-limiting illnesses.

The hospice is also holding a men’s fundraising walk, titled Pie and a Pint, on Sunday, July 22. The 5km-route will start and end at Durham City Rugby Club.

For more information, call the hospice on 0191-3861170 or visit stcuthbertshospice.com