THE town centre was alight with the flash of pink bunny ears last night as thousands of women and, for the first time, men, joined forces to raise money for Bolton Hospice.

The 12 chimes on the Bolton Town Hall clock marked the start of the Midnight Memories walk and the atmosphere was electric as the women set off from Victoria Square on the eight-mile trek.

Starting in the town centre, the route saw them walk along Chorley New Road, to the Beehive Roundabout, and back again.

Most had personal stories of family or friends taken by cancer and displayed the name of a loved one on their back.