A HOST of female celebrities are lining up to back Race for Life -- a woman-only event to raise money to help in the fight against cancer.

Cold Feet star Hermione Norris, TV Presenter Lorraine Kelly, international athlete Sally Gunnell and the Cheeky Girls have all pledged their support.

Race for Life is a series of 5km races all over Britain and, for the first time in the event's 10-year history, Bolton is one of the venues.

Sally Gunnell said: "It is wonderful to join thousands of women across the country in such a fun and relaxed event, while raising millions of pounds for Cancer Research UK.

"Everyone knows someone whose life has been touched by cancer and, through Race for Life, we can make a real difference."

Lorraine Kelly, who will be taking part in one of the races, said: "Race for Life is very special and I can't wait to take part."

The Bolton race, which is sponsored by the Bolton Evening News and Tower FM, is on Sunday, June 22, in Leverhulme Park, and organisers hope more than 1,000 women will take part.

Women across the town are already rushing to take part and women's groups and employers will be contacted in the next few weeks to try to persuade as many people as possible to join in.

Across Britain more than 300,000 women will take part in races at 130 venues.