A 24-hour relay to raise funds for Cancer Research UK has raised an amazing £15,000.

Hundreds of people took part in this year’s Relay for Life Bournemouth and East Dorset, which saw participants circle the track at Ferndown Leisure Centre for a full day and night.

More than 25 cancer survivors also participated in this year’s event, which took place for the seventh year in July.

Shelley Davies, senior local fundraising manager in Dorset, said: “This event is about being part of a community united in the belief that together we are stronger than cancer and we can make a stand against the disease.

“It is a unique event with a celebratory atmosphere and everyone who joins in will take away something special.”

This year, around 400 people in 24 teams took part in the relay, which Shelley called “the best yet”.

Money raised will help to fund the charity’s work to develop newer, kinder treatments and bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

Those who have fought cancer themselves attended the relay’s opening ceremony by taking part in a ‘lap of honour’ before other participants began.

Shelley said: “The sun shone on us for the whole 24 hours and as dusk fell on the Saturday, we spent time remembering those we lost and why we need to help beat cancer sooner.

“This part of the event was the annual ‘candle of hope ceremony’, where more than 500 bags were lit and lined the track for the silent lap as the ceremony came to a close.”

The relay committee would like to thank those who participated in and supported the race.