TEAM spirit will be a key feature of Race for Life events this year, with scores of groups preparing to take part.

Across the region, women of all ages are confident they will be able to conquer the 5km route with some help from friends.

Huge numbers of teams have already taken part in Race for Life events across the North East and North Yorkshire - and yet more are preparing for the impending Darlington and Durham events.

Now, with only days to go, teamwork is being hailed as the key to completing the course, which will raise funds for Cancer Research UK.

Organisers are hoping to make 2006 another record-breaking years - as the numbers of entries smashed through the 720,000 barrier nationally - and hope that £46m will be raised.

Teams in the North-East will be helping the charity achieve their goal.

The Locos-in-Motion group will definitely stand out from the crowd at the Darlington event, on June 11 by Morris dancing in full traditional costume.

The group are taking part in memory of their friend and fellow dancer, Sue Coates, who died from cancer earlier this year, aged 40.

"Sue was a lovely person and much-loved member of the team," said Susan Ellis, a member of the Sadberge-based group.

"She was great fun, always smiling, never complaining. Even during her illness, when she couldn't take part any more, she was really supportive of the rest of the team.

"We will be doing a mixture of dancing and parading on the day, and we hope to have a musician with us to play as we dance along.

"Although we know it's unusual, we are raising money for a fantastic cause - and remembering Sue at the same time."

Thirteen women from Darlington's The Royal Bank of Scotland will be joining them, all wearing matching T-shirts.

Linda Armstrong said: "Although there is a very mixed age range in the group, and some people are better runners than others, the important thing is taking part and raising money."

A team of 24 women from Darlington Building Society will also be taking part.

Chris Bielby, who helped assemble the team, said: "I was really surprised by the number of staff wanting to get involved. Most of the team are not regular runners or keep-fit fanatics, but they all wanted to help raise money for a good cause."

Events in this region also filled their quota of entrants in record time, although some places are still available.

To sign up for the Race for Life, log on to www.raceforlife.org