THOUSANDS of women in Swindon will be breaking into a sweat this weekend to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

They will be running in the Race for Life, which is Britain's biggest women-only fundraising event for research into cancers that affect women.

Swindon's third Race for Life is taking place on Sunday at the Lydiard Country Park, near Wootton Bassett and women who want to take part only have until this evening to register.

So far, around 2,500 women have registered to run in the Swindon race with more than 250,000 women expected to run at venues all around the country.

Vanessa Morgan, 40, of Haydon Wick is running in her third Race for Life.

She said: "I really enjoy the buzz. It's a great atmosphere with the warm up beforehand and the build up to the actual run.

"The adrenalin carries a lot of people around the course. I hope to raise about £150 in sponsorship."

Last year, sponsorship from the 1,986 runners in Swindon came to £121,257 with a team from Nationwide Building Society raising £14,500 alone.

This year organisers hope to increase the amount of money to help search for new treatments for cancer as well as raise awareness about breast cancer and other cancers common to women.

Gemma Cookham, race organiser for the Swindon Race for Life, said: "We hope to raise £150,000 towards the £12m national target.

"We are up on the numbers of people taking part from last year so that's fantastic.

"I would say to anyone who hasn't registered yet to come along. It's a brilliant day with a fantastic atmosphere and you can walk the race. You don't have to run it all."

The event has raised a total of £20m since 1994.

Women can jog or walk the 5km course, either by themselves or in a team but must register by 8.30pm tonight if they want to take part. Call 08705 134314.

www.raceforlife.co.uk