THE thousands of women who took part in this year's Race For Life are being urged to return their sponsor money as soon as possible.

More than 4,000 women walked, jogged or ran the 5km event in Leverhulme Park last Sunday in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Organisers are hoping the race will net a massive £260,000 - £22,000 more than last year - but are appealing for those who completed the challenge to return their money.

Imogen Johnson, the Bolton race organiser, said: "The Bolton event was such a great day and I hope everyone who took part really enjoyed it, but we mustn't forget the reason we all came together - to raise money and help more people survive cancer." Almost all of the women taking part in last Sunday's event had been touched by cancer.

Young Georgia Mort, aged eight, and her grandmother, May Shipperbottom, were the VIP guests on the day, wearing the coveted number one and two on their running shirts.

The pair have raised almost £1,000 for the cancer charity and decided to take part after Mrs Shipperbottom's son, Martin, died of lung cancer last December aged 34.

Mrs Shipperbottom, aged 52, of Penrice Close, Radcliffe, said: "People really should make every effort to get their money in as soon as possible because it will be used to save lives.

"Many of us taking part in the race have been touched by cancer and this is one way of helping other people and give something back to help prevent others from losing the fight."

The money raised by the 800,000 women taking part in Race for Life events across the country will fund about 3,500 scientists, doctors and nurses.