There were frills ruffles, glitter, sequins, wigs, wings, pom poms, tassles, ribbons and feathery boas and the colour pink everywhere as thousands of people took part in the Race For Life celebration at Carlisle.

More than 2,500 women, children and this year, for the first time, men, entered the 5k, 10k and Pretty Muddy event.

They were all at Bitts Park to raise money in the fight against cancer, but also to remember and honour the friends family and loved ones who had been affected by cancer or who had succumbed to it.

There were tears and smiles and shirt numbers were decorated with hearts or stars or both, some with heartfelt messages of remembrance, some with a simple ‘For Mam’ or ‘For Dad’ . Others remembered Nanas, brothers and sisters.

More than 50 friends from Workington were dressed in pink as part of ‘Helen and Julie’s Journey’.

Together they have raised over £5,000.

Helen Mason, 38, from Seaton was diagnosed with breast cancer in November and underwent chemotherapy and mastectomy.

She was given the all-clear last Monday and although she couldn’t take part, she was there to see her friends off.

Her best friend Julie Wilson, 54, was diagnosed with breast cancer in September and underwent therapeutic mammoplasty in October.

Julie, of Great Clifton, said: “We want to raise awareness about breast cancer.

“I went in complaining of a pain in one side and came out with breast cancer on the other.”

John Hastings of Workington has supported the event for years, but was taking part for the first time.

He said: “My mum Carol was diagnosed with breast cancer at the start of the year and had a double mastectomy, so I’m doing it for her. When I heard men could enter this year, I had to take part.”

The Carlisle event is expected to contribute £107,000 to fighting cancer. All the money raised will go to Cancer Research UK.