More than 1,500 women will be pounding the streets of Crawley tonight with the aim of raising thousands of pounds for charity.

The 5km run is the second Cancer Research UK Race For Life event in Sussex this year and organisers are hopeful of a good crowd.

Hundreds of women took part in the Race For Life at Eastbourne at the weekend and further runs are scheduled for Hastings and Brighton in the next four weeks.

At least 15 members of staff from the Sussex Nuffield Hospital in Brighton are in training for the Brighton race at Stanmer Park.

The hospital entered a team last year and are hoping to beat last year's total by raising £1,500.

Hospital marketing assistant Ginny Darch said: "There was a lot of interest following last year's success and we were quickly able to get a team together.

"There is always a great atmosphere at the event. People are relaxed.

"Because of where we work we are well aware of the effects of cancer and the importance of treatments and research."

More than 300,000 women are taking part in races at more than 130 venues across the UK for the tenth anniversary of Race For Life.

The event has already raised more than £35 million for cancer research and every pound raised goes directly to the scientists and doctors who work to find new treatments.

Races are open to women and girls of all ages who can choose to either walk or run the route.

Entry is £7.50 or £4.50 for under-18s and applications close a week before each race.

The Brighton race is on July 5 and the Hastings event is at Alexandra Park on June 29.

For details, call 08705 134314 or go to www.raceforlife.org