Ladies in the pink at Shrewsbury Race for Life

Hundreds of women from across Shropshire put their best foot forward to raise vital cash for cancer research.

Just under 2,000 mothers, daughters, sisters and granddaughters descended on Shrewsbury's West Mid Showground last night to take part in Cancer Research UK's Race For Life.

It was the second event to be held in Shropshire this year following Telford's Race For Life last month, which saw more than 2,000 women run around Telford Town Park.

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And despite heavy downpours during the lead up to yesterday's event, the female fun runners were blessed with sunshine as they made their way to the starting line.

Race for Life is non-competitive and at last night's event women could choose whether to walk, jog or run the 5k route.

Before the main event, a mass aerobic warm-up was held to help those taking part limber up before the starting whistle blew.

The showground was a sea of pink as many chose to wear colourful outfits and crazy costumes.

Sue Holding, 55, from Gains Park in Shrewsbury, brought a regal air to the proceedings as she dressed up as The Queen.

She was taking part in the event with her 19-year-old daughter, Amy.

She said: "It is her jubilee year and I'm sure if Her Majesty was younger she would do the race herself. It's been a great way to get sponsorship."

And Claire Membury, 37, from Shrewsbury, even got her pet dalmatian Princess into the spirit by dying her fur bright pink.

The dog received a makeover courtesy of Dougals dog grooming salon in Hook-a-Gate.

Claire said: "We did the race in Telford and dyed her fur for that as well. We raised £600 at that event and have raised £500 so far for this race."

Many of the women had been personally affected by the disease, including 24-year-old twins Beth and Jenny Harris, of Copthorne, Shrewsbury.

The lost their mother Sandra to cancer in 2010 after she was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Beth, an occupational therapist at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, said: "This is the fourth year we have taken part. It's a great way to raise money for cancer research."

And Fiona Smith, 44, of St Georges in Telford wanted to raise awareness of breast cancer after having fought the disease seven times.

Fiona, who completed the race in a wheelchair, was first diagnosed when she was 22.

She now runs Swimming After Surgery swim therapy group which helps breast cancer survivors regain their fitness and confidence after surgery.

Fiona donned a pair of flippers during last night's race to highlight her work.

Shrewsbury's Race for Life is in its sixth year. Every year the women-only event raises millions of pounds across the UK to fund research into 200 types of cancer.

Last year's Shrewsbury race raised nearly £125,000.

But organisers are confident they will smash that total this year.

Katherine Culshaw, Shrewsbury's Race for Life organiser, said: "It's been a really great event and it's wonderful that just under 2000 women have taken part.

"We're confident we will raise around £150,000 this year once all the sponsorship money is in and counted. The sun has come out for the race and there has been a great atmosphere."

For details about Cancer Research visit www.cancerresearchuk.org/