ONE of Burnley’s biggest annual charity events has been cancelled after organisers said it had failed to attract enough participants.

Cancer Research UK said the Race for Life Burnley, which raised around £55,000 in 2014, will not be taking place next year.

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The charity said it had made a ‘difficult decision’ to reduce the number of smaller Race for Life events, which includes the fundraiser at Towneley Hall.

The women-only race, which attracted more than 800 participants to the park in the summer, sees women run and walk 5k, often in memory of a loved one or someone fighting cancer.

A larger event in Blackburn’s Witton Park has attracted a yearly entry of around 1,700 runners.

Women from the Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale area who wish to run in 2016 are now being urged to register for races in Blackburn and Preston.

The charity said the changes were being made to help raise more money for vital research by reducing costs.

Annette Quarry, Cancer Research UK event manager for the North West, said: “Race for Life raises money to fund life-saving research.

“So we owe it to our participants and supporters to ensure that we raise as much money as possible in the most cost-efficient way.

“Although 805 women took part at our event in Burnley in June, entries were lower than anticipated.

“Taking the costs of staging the event into consideration, we’ve taken the difficult decision not to run it again in 2016.”

Jo Taylor, from Burnley Wood, took part in the event two years ago with a team from Burnley Leisure.

She said: “Having the Race For Life at Towneley was special for those who took part from the town and surrounding areas.

“It was a fantastic setting for the race to take place and for me, and I suspect lots of others, it was an uplifting and memorable experience.

“What I remember from the event is many of the women and girls there sharing their reasons for taking part.

“It was very emotional and inspirational.

“It’s a real shame that there won’t be a race in Burnley next year.

“I wouldn’t travel to Blackburn or Preston for the event. It was special because it was in Burnley.”

Ms Quarry said: “We are very grateful to our participants, and their supporters, who took part in the event this year and in the past.

“The charity would like to thank Burnley Borough Council for their support.

“We want to express our heart-felt thanks to everyone who has taken part in Race for Life in Burnley.

“It may be possible for Race for Life to return to the town in future years but for now we hope our supporters will understand the reason for this difficult decision for 2016.”

Race for Life 5k events will be held at Preston and Blackburn in 2016.

A Race for Life 10k event and Pretty Muddy event will also be held at Preston.

For more information about alternative Cancer Research UK Race for Life events visit www.raceforlife.org