Hundreds of determined fundraisers put their best foot forward this weekend and took part in Bowood 10k run to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

More than 480 runners from all walks of life took to the course on Sunday and organisers hope to have raised over £47,000 for the charity.

Mum of one Claire Borras, of Wootton Bassett, vowed to do the run after seeing her close friend suffer with breast cancer.

Mrs Borras, 43, who has a 20-month-old baby Joseph, said: "My friend is an inspiration to us all and I wanted to do something just as valuable for cancer sufferers. My friend was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago when she was just 24 and has had to have a double mastectomy, two sessions of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Now luckily she is on Herceptin and fighting fit but I really just wanted to do something for her. "If I was her I would be hiding inside but she is just so strong and even did a three mile run last year.

"I have run the 10k for the last four years and it is a really difficult run because its cross country and up hills and since I have had my son it has been harder to train but I have kept going and raised more than £250.

"I know this a drop in the ocean but every little helps. When you walk up to the start line every year you always get choked because of the emotion of the run. It feels really sentimental taking part."

Calne student Emma Clease took part in the run as it fell on the on the fifth anniversary of her grandmother's death from cancer.

The 24-year-old, who had never trained for such a long event until last year, said: "It went really well and was quite an emotional day. I know my grandmother would have been really proud of me and I felt really proud of myself.

"The great thing about the run is it doesn't feel like a competition and everyone helps everyone else out. I managed to persuade my boyfriend to join in and we were having a chat all the way through and pushing each other on.

"All my family and friends were there at the finish line and we both got such a great a sense of achievement from the run."

Now organisers are urging everyone who took part to collect their sponsorship money and send it in as soon as possible.

Cancer Research UK's Run 10k organiser Scott Renken said: "We had a fantastic day and I would like to thank everyone who took part, as well as all the volunteers and everyone at Bowood House.

"We would urge runners to remember that their efforts do not end at the finishing line and it is vital that everyone sends in their sponsorship money as soon as possible so that it can be used to support Cancer Research UK's ground-breaking research into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer."

For more information on how to send in sponsorship money or to make a donation, visit www.run10k.org/local