More than 1,500 women sign up for Shropshire Race for Life events

Organisers have now issued a fresh appeal for entrants after the plug was pulled on the race at the Staffordshire County Showground in Stafford this year due to dwindling participant numbers.

Entries are open for events held in Telford, Shrewsbury and Weston Park, on the county border, which will be held by officials at Cancer Research UK.

Charity spokeswoman Lucy Morton said the event in Stafford had been replaced by a 10km Pretty Muddy event, featuring obstacles and mud, at Weston Park.

It is the only 10km Pretty Muddy event taking place in the entire country.

Race for Life is a women-only series of 5km, 10km and Pretty Muddy events which raises millions of pounds every year to help beat 200 different types of cancer.

Events will take place at 16 venues across the region this year including Wolverhampton on June 10 and at Walsall Arboretum on May 17.

So far, 1,051 women have signed up to the Pretty Muddy 5km and 10km events held at 10am at Weston Park on Saturday, May 2, 270 will take on the Telford 5km challenge at Telford Town Park at 11am on Sunday, May 31 and 229 have signed up to race the 5km event in Shrewsbury's Quarry at 11am on Sunday, June 14.

Money raised allows doctors, nurses and scientists to advance research which is helping to save the lives of men, women and children across the region.

Last year, 3,808 women took part in Race for Life in Shropshire and raised £199,255.

Emily Thompson, Cancer Research UK's Shropshire event manager, said: "If you're looking for an opportunity to get the New Year off to good start, this is the time to commit to Race for Life. With fire in their bellies and trainers at the ready, we know that Shropshire ladies are up for the challenge."

This year, organisers need 6,750 women and girls to stride out to help raise £300,000 for vital research.

Cancer Research UK receives no Government funding for its work.

To enter the Race for Life go to www.racefor life.org or call 0845 600 6050.