HUNDREDS of people enjoyed rare good weather for the tenth annual Relay For Life Rossendale to raise money for cancer research.

The event, held at Marls Pit Sports Centre in Rawtenstall, saw participants walk or run around the athletics track from 11am on Saturday until 11am on Sunday.

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A total of 400 walkers took part in 33 teams, including two young men training for an endurance race who ran for the whole 24 hours.

More than 1,000 spectators came to watch the event, which included the lighting of a symbolic candle of hope in the battle against cancer which is a celebration of years’-worth of fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

They set up camp for the weekend on Friday with a party.

The event kicked off on Saturday morningat 11am on Saturday with more 50 cancer survivors walking the first lap of the track before giant party poppers were fired and a brass band played as a celebration of them being cancer-free.

Throughout the weekend there were activities took place including a children’s fun zone that included,’ with bouncy castles, a “bucking sheep”, circus skills, Sumo wrestling and a Gladiators-style “battle beam”.

Music throughout the weekend came from local acts bands and singers including The Lomax Brothers, Francesca Di Michelle, Laura Jackson, and Boomin, while the Cotton Shed Theatre group performed.

Drama came from ‘The Cotton Shed Theatre’ group.

Event chair Jacqui Kemp said: “We had a really good turnout with good weather for a change and a real festival atmosphere.

“It’s only the second year out of 10 it hasn’t rained.

“Although it wasn’t hot and sunny, it was ideal walking weather, especially for the two young men training for an endurance events who ran for the whole 24 hours.

“We have teams of eight to 15 people of whom at least one is on the track at any given time.

“The event is a celebration of people surviving cancer and is the only relay held in Lancashire.

“Throughout the year all the teams have taken part in different fundraising activities.

“The relay is really the annual celebration at the end to mark their hard work and achievement.

“At 10pm we stopped briefly to all light a candle of hope.

“So far we are on track to raise our target figure of £35,000.

“Last year we managed £36,000.”

For more information about Relay for Life Rossendale, go to www.relayforliferossendale.co.uk.