LIVES across the borough have been touched by cancer. Most people would support any campaign to fight it.

So we would urge local women to take part in a Bolton event in June, which aims to raise substantial funds to do just that.

The Race For Life involves women walking or running 5km (3.1 miles) together in a series of events across the UK. And Bolton is to have its own event, on Sunday, June 22, at Leverhulme Park.

It was launched on Monday (April14) day at the Tesco Extra store in Horwich, which is not only backing the race but also providing a team. Top local runner Audrey Foster was there to stress the importance of the event.

Organisers hope that 1,000 women will take part. The Bolton Evening News is backing the race wholeheartedly, and we hope that local people will do the same.

A major event like this will not only raise a large sum for Cancer Research UK but also raise awareness of cancer. And the spectacle of so many women doing something practical for such a vital cause will gladden the heart.