WALKERS are being invited to dress up and take part in this year's 11-mile, night-time Walk in the Dark event for Rosemere Cancer Foundation.

The charity describes the trek - taking place on Saturday, April 27, from 9pm - as the most important event in its fundraising calendar. The past decade has seen more than 2,500 people from south Cumbria and Lancashire join the throngs, and the event has raised close to £300,000 for world-class cancer services for local patients.

The largely flat route follows the A6 from Chorley and South Ribble Hospital to the Rosemere Cancer Centre at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Julie Hesmondhalgh, Rosemere's south Cumbria area fundraising coordinator, is hoping this year's walk will attract an increased entry from the Lakes area.

Julie said: “Participating in this year’s Walk in the Dark is a great way for people to show their support.

"Walk in the Dark is the most important event in our year-long fundraising calendar. It’s an essential event for us and with the Eric Wright Group’s support, all money raised in entry fees and from walkers being sponsored to stay the course can go directly to helping us fund projects across south Cumbria and Lancashire to help local people going through cancer treatment right now.”

Jeremy Hartley, managing director of the Eric Wright Group, said: “We first began supporting Rosemere Cancer Foundation six years ago sponsoring the Blackburn Cathedral Valentine’s concert and are delighted once again to be involved in Walk in the Dark.

"As a local company, we are well aware of Rosemere's work to support those in treatment at the Rosemere Cancer Centre and all of our region’s hospital cancer units, and in recognition of this they were also nominated as one of our charities of the year in 2018 with a substantial donation.”

Entry is £10, free for children under 12, and dogs are welcome. Walkers are invited to dress up to help give the event a carnival atmosphere and to display the names of loved ones in whose memory they may be walking.

People walk at their own speed – there is no time limit - and everyone will receive a goody bag at the start of the walk, and a hot drink and bacon barm at the finish.

A free bus service to the starting line in Chorley will run so walkers can park at the Royal Preston Hospital for when they finish.

Visit www.rosemere.org.uk or call 01772-522913 to enter.