IT was an emotional evening for the thousands of women who took part in a charity race for Cancer Research UK.

More than 3,000 ladies, many running in memory of a loved one, gathered at North Weald Airfield to run, jog or walk the 5k Race for Life.

Participants displayed messages on their t-shirts for those who had died of cancer, or the name of someone affected by the disease.

Epping event manager Lucy Hynes said: “The women of Epping deserve a really big thank you for creating such a great atmosphere and helping make the event so special.

"I hope everyone who took part really enjoyed themselves. Everyone was in a party mood on the day and it looked like everyone had a fantastic time.”

Money raised from sponsorship will help beat cancer, a disease that will affect one in three people in the UK at some stage in their lives, and organisers are hoping the Epping Forest District will reach a fund raising target of £230,000.

Ms Hynes said: “The event itself may be over, but now it is vital that everyone makes one final effort by returning their sponsorship money as soon as possible to help us cross the fund raising finish line.”