It was an emotional day for many today (Sunday) as hundreds of women decorated their tractors and set off around the roads of south Norfolk in aid of charity.

A convoy of 120 tractors, all decorated in pink, weaved their way in and out of small villages and country roads in aid of Cancer Research UK.

And support was not hard to spot as hundreds of people lined the route, waving and cheering as the tractors drove by. Kirsti Wiles, 37, a Diss Town Council worker from Starston, said: 'I've known family members and friends who have had cancer, some survived and some didn't, and you have them in the back of your mind constantly.

'The reaction from people as we've been driving has been amazing, particularly in Harleston, it's been emotional.

'If it wasn't for a lot of generous people who have lent tractors and sponsored us all it wouldn't be half as popular as it is and they should be applauded.'

Angie Cook, 64, retired from Long Stratton, bought her tractor especially for the event.

'I haven't driven one for more than 50 years but it's something I've always wanted to do for the charity,' she said. 'The atmosphere has been wonderful.'

Caroline Hunt, 32, who works for Suffolk County Council, from Dickleburgh, said her JCB tractor had been borrowed through a gentleman at her work place.

'For me, cancer affects everybody,' she said. 'Last year we came and spectated and thought it was such fun we thought we'd do it.

'My Dad has just recovered from bowel cancer and I know this is for women but the money all goes to the same place.

'It's been very emotional and I think it's because of the amount of support there is.'

Her driving companion Laura Rogers, 36, a Green King worker from Debenham in Suffolk, added: 'When you've lost people or know people who are suffering with cancer then you realise just what the cause is for.

'We lost someone from breast cancer at work last year and thought it would be a fun way to keep her memory alive and to raise some money.'

The tractor run has raised �184,000 for the charity since 2004 and organisers hope this year's eighth rally will break the �200,000 mark.

Annie Chapman, of the Suffolk and Norfolk branch of the David Brown Tractor Club, who coordinates the event, said this year's was in memory of a woman called Jane who had taken part in the tractor run before but sadly died of cancer last month.

'It's been very emotional and the support has been unbelievable,' she said. 'I don't think anybody got through Harleston without a lump in their throat.

'There were just people all round the route in the villages and outside their houses having picnics as we went by. It gets better every year, it's just astounding.'

The convoy departed Thorpe Abbotts Airfield at about 11.30am today and passed through Harleston with a picnic lunch at Gawdy Hall meadow. They finished back at the airfield late afternoon.