WOMEN and girls in the Bolton area who want to take part in the Race for Life in Leverhulme Park this summer are being urged to enter early.

Last year, the event's website was swamped by would-be runners from the Bolton area, and the 2,000 places for the local race in the morning quickly went.

As a result, a second, afternoon race was arranged which also attracted a large entry and there will be a second race at 2pm after the 11am race at this year's event on Sunday, July 23.

But, as the website opens this week, organisers are advising local females to get their entries quickly for their preferred race to avoid being disappointed.

Holly Scholes, national events executive for Race for Life run by Cancer Research UK said: "There is always a great response to this event in Bolton and last year it raised almost £180,000 - more than it had ever done before.

"But it would be a pity if people did not get into the race they wanted to."

The 5km (three-mile) race over the Park's woodland and road course attracted 3,300 local females of all ages and levels of fitness.

Last year was the fourth event and raised almost £30,000 more than the previous year.

Money raised in the Race for Life events over the country goes directly to scientists to fund research into finding a cure for different cancers, and it has raised more than £70 million nationally since it started in 1994.

As well as providing a female-only race, entrants wear the names of loved ones in whose memory they are taking part to create a moving occasion.

To enter, log on to the event's website www.raceforlife.org, ring the hotline or write to them at: Cancer Research UK, Race for Life, PO Box 50, Crawley West Sussex, RH10 9WA. All cheques should be made payable to Cancer Research UK.