BIRDS of a feather are flocking together for this year's Race For Life as a team of women from BAE Systems, Samlesbury, enter the charity event at Preston Sports Arena.

Employees in the finance department at the aerospace company are spreading their wings as they prepare to 'fly around' the track on Sunday June 1.

Calling themselves 'BAE Birds' the women are planning to run the course to raise cash for Cancer Research UK.

Led by 24-year-old Stefanie Hayhurst, the 18-strong finance department entrants are so keen they are even training in their lunch breaks.

Runner Carolyn Leech, 27, of Shop Lane, Higher Walton, was inspired to enter the event after losing several members of her family to cancer.

She said: "My dad's cousin died of breast cancer, leaving four children. It was a terrible shock. Entering Race for Life is a way of raising money for research which will hopefully provide a cure.

"It's also a good way of staying healthy. When you have a history of cancer in your family you want to try and make sure you're in with a chance.

Stefanie said: "It's a great day out. There's such a good atmosphere with people from all walks of life taking part."

The race is now in its tenth year and money raised goes directly to the charity which aims to produce a vaccine to wipe-out cervical cancer in the next ten years.

Application forms are available from The Citizen's Winckley Square Offices or online at www.raceforlife.org or tesco.com and on the hotline 08705 134 314.

Race for Life has running numbers one and ten to give away with T-shirts . If you know someone who deserves to wear a special number send your nominations along with a reason why to; Margaret Blackburn, Race For Life, The Citizen, Winckley Court, Winckley Square, Preston, PR1 3JJ or e-mail: mblackburn@prestoncitizen.co.uk