FEMALE walkers, joggers and runners are being urged to apply for a place in Skipton's Race for Life.

Cancer Research UK opened its phone lines and website for the 2006 race this week.

Skipton's fourth race will be held on Sunday May 14 in the grounds of Broughton Hall.

In previous years, the event has been massively oversubscribed and many women have been disappointed to discover there were no places left.

This should not be a problem this year as two races will be held - one at 10.30am and another at 2.30pm - allowing 5,000 women to take part in the five-kilometre walk, jog or run.

Last year 3,000 Skipton participants managed to raise £180,000.

This year the goal is £300,000 and all the money raised will go towards pioneering work into the prevention, treatment and cure for cancer.

Unlike other years team entries are not permitted and women must enter individually. The entry fee has also been increased to £10.

Skipton will be one of 230 venues across the country to host a Race for Life event this year.

It is anticipated that three-quarters of a million women will don their trainers between May and July to take part in an event somewhere in the country.

The national fundraising target is £46 million.

Skipton race organiser Katie Birkett said: "Every single woman who takes part in Race for Life and raises money is making an invaluable contribution towards the fight against cancer. Last year's event had an unforgettable atmosphere and was incredibly inspiring.

"We were delighted by the Skipton success and proud that the town's women smashed our fundraising target.

"We hope that everyone will get behind the event again this year, whether by taking part and raising money or coming down on the day to volunteer."

Mrs Birkett urged everybody of all levels of fitness keen to take part to sign up immediately.

This can be done by visiting www.raceforlife.org or dialling 08705 134 314.