STAFF and students at a Bolton college are teaming up to run the town's first ever Race for Life together.

Thirty-eight women at Bolton Community College, who are aged between their early 20s to their early 50s have signed up to run the 3.1 mile race which will be held on Sunday June 22 at Leverhulme Park.

Cancer Research UK's Race for Life, sponsored by Tesco and backed by the Bolton Evening News, is a unique series of 5 km events across the UK, where women walk or run together to raise vital funds for Cancer Research UK to help cure cancer faster.

Administration assistant Diane Westwell, aged 51, said a wide range of people from the college are joining in: "Teachers are going to run, as well as students. Learning support workers about five creche workers have also decided to run. We've even got some family members, like my daughter who have are going to run." The college team has decided to run in bright yellow t-shirts and have decided to carry balloons with shiny faces on them so they will stand out from the crowds.

Many team members are planning to run in memory of a loved one who was touched by cancer.

Diane said: "My cousin's husband died of cancer and I had an auntie who died at Bolton Hospice. Other members of staff have their own little stories. Everybody knows somebody." As Race for Life is a non-competitive race, Diane said some of the younger team members will run the race while older members plan to walk most of it.

So far organisers have been thrilled by the response from Bolton as more than 800 women have pledged to run. Since Race for Life began 10 years ago it has raised £35 million to fight cancer. To enter Race for Life call 08705 134 314 or log on www.raceforlife.org It costs £7.50 for women and £4.50 for girls. Closing date for entries is Sunday June 15.