HUNDREDS of people braved the pouring rain for the ninth annual Relay For Life in Rawtenstall.

The event, held at Marls Pit Sports Centre, saw participants walk or run around the athletics track from 11am on Saturday until 11am on Sunday as part of 32 teams.

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In total 486 people took part in the celebration which culminated a year’s worth of fundraising for Cancer Research UK.

A concert was held on Friday for people taking part who set up camp for the weekend.

The event kicked off at 11am on Saturday with 50 cancer survivors walking the first lap of the track before balloons were released as a celebration of them being cancer free.

Throughout the weekend activities took place including archery, a paint ball experience, a number of stalls selling goods, there was also a bouncy castle, face painting.

Event chair Jacqui Kemp said that the event was a huge success.

She said: “We had a fantastic turn out despite the bad weather with a really good festival atmosphere.

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

“Throughout the day hundreds of people not taking part came along for the fun day activities even though it was raining most of the time. At 10pm we stopped briefly to all light a candle of hope.

“So far we know we have raised £26,000 but we are hoping that we will reach a total of around £36,000 .”

For more information visit www.relayforliferossendale.co.uk.