Around 500 women braved the cold at the Norfolk Showground last night to take part in the first Norfolk Race For Life Twilight event.

Norwich is one of just four cities across the UK to have hosted one of the moonlit Cancer Research UK 5km fun runs - and there were glow sticks, fairy lights and women in fancy dress ready to bring light to the Costessey darkness.

Women of all ages got into the spirit of the event to raise money for the charity, before running, jogging or walking the course to raise sponsorship money.

Two of those taking part in the fun run were Claire Thomas and Julie Burton, colleagues at the Boots store in Norwich's Chapelfield Shopping Centre.

Julie, 45 and from Mulbarton, has successfully beaten breast cancer and it was when she was diagnosed that her friend Claire, 39 and from Brundall, signed up for one of the daytime Race For Life events.

Julie recovered just in time to run the event with her friend and they decided to have a go again at the Twilight event, saying: 'The first year we signed up I had just been diagnosed and I didn't know how well I would be but struggled round. Then the day we went to sign up for this one my sister was diagnosed, so we are doing this for her.'

Claire added: 'I think it's a great event, really colourful and lots of fun.'

The fundraisers' spirits were kept up on a chilly night by some energetic entertainment before the starting horn was sounded at 8pm.

A Zumba warm-up got everybody in the mood for some fun, following an emotional story of a local woman's battle with cancer to remind everyone of the serious reason they were there for.

Michelle Barnett, pictured above, 37, from Ellingham, near Bungay, has taken part in the last five Race for Life events in Norfolk and, with friends, raised over �6,000.

The mum-of-two received a hearty round of applause and cheers after taking to the stage to tell her story, just about managing to hold back the tears, before starting the 5km fun run.

She said: 'Cancer made me slightly weaker but stronger in so many ways. Make the most of the love and friendship of your family and friends.'

- Did you take part in the event? Send us your photos and details of how people can sponsor you at www.iwitness24.co.uk

- To see another video and lots more photos from the event, see the links at the top-right of this page.