ONE thousand four hundred women will line up at Broughton Hall on Sunday for Craven's first ever Race for Life.

The event involves a series of five-kilometre races at various venues across the country to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Organiser Janet Cooper said the response to the Broughton race had been fantastic, and there would definitely be another local event next year.

"We will see if we can make the race even bigger. It will become an annual fixture," she promised.

"Our aim this year is to raise £17.5 million nationally for pioneering research and the women who come and participate at Skipton will add significant funds towards reaching this target."

The Craven race will be started at 11am by 10-year-old Rebecca Harrison, who recently underwent a bone marrow transplant operation and is still being treated at St James Hospital in Leeds. The initial route goes up Church Lane, which will be closed to traffic from Moor Lane, Elslack, and Broughton Bridge, Broughton, from 10.45am until 1pm.

The five kilometre course takes in the beautiful surroundings of Broughton Hall and while there are a few steep slopes en route, organisers say the scenic views at the top make it all worthwhile.

Participants are urged to arrive at least an hour before the start, and say parking will be available in a field at the hall. However, to assist traffic flow, only left turns will be allowed.

That means that cars coming from the Lancashire direction will have to go to the Skipton bypass roundabout to turn round. And after the event Skipton-bound traffic will have to go to the A59/A56 roundabout to turn round.

"We will be looking at a park and ride scheme in 2004," said Miss Cooper.

Volunteers are also being sought to help on the morning of the event - to give out goody bags and medals at the finish. They should report to the Cancer Research UK marquee at 9.30am.

"We hope that this will be a truly moving but inspirational experience for many women and urge all participants to remember to send Cancer Research UK their sponsorship money after the event to help us achieve our overall aim - to cure cancer faster," she said.