Hundreds of women raised tens of thousands of pounds for a Shropshire hospice by stepping out for a late-night stroll.

Almost 700 women took part in the Severn Hospice Midnight Walk in Shrewsbury on Saturday night, which was hosted by Jim Hawkins from BBC Radio Shropshire. And organisers today revealed it was such a success that registration for the 2011 walk has already been opened.

The women raised about £40,000 by completing the 10km walk, starting and finishing at Shrewsbury Town’s Greenhous Meadow.

Lucy Proctor, community fundraising manager for the Severn Hospice, said: “Due to the huge success of the Midnight Walks this year, we are thrilled to announce that registration for the 2011 events has already opened.

“The wonderful Raynet team once again supported the walkers and kept them safe throughout the night – we can’t thank them enough for all of their support at both this event and our Telford Midnight Walk in June.

“We would also like to thank all of the volunteers who helped hand out with water, signing in walkers and marshalling the streets to ensure that everyone had a tremendous night.

“A big thank you also goes to Shrewsbury Town Football Club for hosting the event and making us so welcome through the early hours of the morning.”

She also paid tribute to Theatre Severn, which kept its doors open into the early hours, to host the walk’s halfway checkpoint.

By Sam Pinnington