WOMEN in the region are being urged to run, jog or walk their way to health this summer.

The launch of Cancer Research UK's 2004 Race for Life events coincided with a survey that shows that only three per cent of Britons are aware that being overweight increases their chance of getting cancer.

Seven out of ten questioned by NOP were aware of the link with heart disease - but very few made the connection with being overweight.

Professor Jane Wardle, director of Cancer Research UK's health behaviour unit, said: "Excess body fat is not harmless 'extra padding', but active tissue producing hormones that can increase the risk of cancer.

"In order to lose weight and then maintain a healthy body weight, you need to eat less and be more active. Even small weight losses have been shown to have a beneficial effect on health."

An expected 325,000 women will run, jog or walk 5km at events at 150 venues across the UK, from May 5 until July 25, raising £20m for research into the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer.

Race for Life events in the region will take place at: South Park, Darlington on Sunday, June 20; Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough on Saturday, June 26; Herrington Country Park, Sunderland Sunday, June 6; Saltwell Park, Gateshead, Sunday, May 23, and Newcastle Race Course on Sunday, July 11.