RACE for Life is officially out of the blocks for this year after a successful launch day.

Members of Cancer Research UK's Race for Life team set up stall outside their shop, in Epping High Street, to encourage passers-by to sign up to this year's event.

The 5km race takes place every year at North Weald Airfield, and is the district's largest charity event with over 3,000 women taking part in 2009.

This year's event kicks off on Wednesday, July 21 at 7.30pm, and organisers are hoping for more entrants than ever.

Event manager Lucy Hynes said: “One-in-three people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer at some stage in their lives. But the good news is that more people are beating the disease than ever before. Cancer Research UK’s work is at the heart of that progress. By helping to raise money through Race for Life, our supporters are turning hope into reality.”

To find out how to enter visit raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111.