THOUSANDS of women stepped out in colourful costumes to kick off a North-East fundraising drive for a cancer charity yesterday.

The first of five regional Race for Life events was staged by Cancer Research UK at Saltwell Park, Gateshead.

A record field of 2,649 competitors, 1,000 more than last year, were the first of 12,000-plus runners who will be involved in similar events round the region over the next seven weeks.

Many have overcome cancer or have family members and friends who have been affected by the disease.

Although restricted to women-only, plenty of fathers were at the park, minding children, while their spouses tackled the five-kilometre run.

Many runners sported various forms of pink outfit, but some went further, including three staff from Derwentside College, in Consett, County Durham.

Among the most eye-catching was Lynn Hedley, dressed as a Christmas tree, bearing pink tags signed by friends and sponsors who have lost a loved one from cancer.

Ms Hedley, who ran with colleagues Libby Marrs, as a Christmas tree fairy, and pyjama-clad Mary Chambers, said the festive costume was not too much of a hindrance.

"I'm not the sort of person who looks to draw attention to myself, but this is something so important to so many people that I don't mind," she said.

Cancer Research UK estimates yesterday's event will raise upwards of £85,000.

Similar Race for Life runs are at Herrington Country Park, near Sunderland, on Sunday, June 5; at South Park, Darlington, on Sunday, June 12; at Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, on Saturday, June 25 and at Gosforth Park Racecourse, Newcastle, on Sunday, July 10.

All are fully booked and are expected to raise more than £500,000 to aid the fight against cancer.