A SEA of pink washed over Witton Park when thousands of runners took part in the Race for Life yesterday.

The women and girls tackling the 5k run made their way around the park to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

People got into the party spirit and donned fancy dress costumes and wigs.

Bethany Trickett, five, from Bacup, who successfully beat cancer, was a special guest and set the runners on their way before taking part with her mum, Sheona Parry.

Pat Hilton, 68, and daughter Lisa Cameron, ran in memory of Mrs Hilton’s daughter, Sarah Hilton, 44, who died from cancer in her breasts, lungs, liver and bones.

Edith Marsden, 99, of Lower Darwen, was the oldest participant in the race, helped along in her wheelchair by granddaughter-in-law, Jane McKeown, from Oswaldtwistle.

Jane said: “Edith’s daughter, Sheila Byard, died of cancer 10 years ago and we thought it would be fitting to run on her 10th year anniversary and Edith’s 100th year.”

Jorja Hodkinson,11, and her mum Shirley, 46, of Blackburn, were running to raise £50 after Mrs Hodkinson successfully beat breast cancer after being diagnosed four-and-a-half years ago.

Jorja said: “We did another race in 2013 but I was really excited for this one.”

Dawn Taylor, 42, of Lower Darwen, was running with her daughter, Lucy, 15, to raise £500.

Mrs Taylor said: “It’s great to see so many women take part and the more money we all raise the more research can be done to save people’s lives.”

Earlier, around 1,100 pupils took part in the first ever children’s Race for Life, also in Witton Park. The children completed a one-mile course rather than the 5k adult version.

Among schools taking part were St Aidan’s, Longshaw Junior, St Silas CE, St Barnabas and St Paul’s, St Anne’s RC, St Peter’s RC, St Paul’s RC, The Redeemer CE, Shadsworth County Infants, Lammack Community and St James of Lower Darwen.