ALMOST 1,000 women put on their running shoes to help the battle against cancer yesterday

Women and young girls from the region took part in Cancer Research UK's Race for Life at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland, one of a series of events to raise money for cancers that affect women. Entrants ran, walked or jogged the 5km course.

Ingrid Hope, of Tunstall, Sunderland, was first home in 21 minutes and 20 seconds. Her daughter, Emily, completed the course in just over 30 minutes.

The youngest participant was two-year-old Zoe Todner, of Framwellgate Moor, Durham.

One of the biggest teams was a group of 30 workers and their daughters from the city's BHS store who raised more than £800.

This was the sixth year that the Race for Life has been held in Sunderland and the first to be held at the country park rather than Silkworth Sports Complex.

Julia Haran, Cancer Research UK's regional spokeswoman, said: "It was fantastic. Nearly 1,000 women registered to take part and turned up and they brought along lots of family and friends.

"Not everybody runs it. The idea is that people can do it at their own pace. People made friends as they were going round.

"It's difficult to say how much we will raise as the sponsorship is just coming in, but our target for the whole of the UK is £17.5m."

* The charity is holding its Cycle For Life event on Sunday, August 17 at Meadowfield, near Durham City. For details, contact 0870 161 1010.