More than 1,000 women joined the Race for Life on the hottest day of the year.

The mercury soared to more than 30C in north Norfolk today. It didn't feel much cooler in the grounds of Houghton Hall, near Fakenham, as they began the warm-up. Many were running in memory of a loved one touched by cancer or lost to the disease.

Deputy head of Marshland High School Emma Leach, 45, from Wisbech, was running in memory of her mum, with eight colleagues.

'She died three years ago from cancer on my birthday,' she said. 'She was 63.'

Estate agent Ginny Studd, 58, from North Creake, was running with colleagues from Burnham Market-based property firm Sowerby's.

'I' running for my dad,' she said. 'He's not gone anywhere yet but he's being treated for cancer.'

Jemma Turpin, area events manager for Cancer Research UK, said around 1,500 had signed up for the 5K run, the 11th to be held at Houghton. Since 2005, the race at the hall has raised £1m for the charity.

'The ladies have really come forward to join the fight,' she said. 'We're here to show cancer we're coming to get it. Everyone knows someone who's been affected by cancer.'