A HORDE in pink brightened up Bournemouth Seafront on Friday night to help buy a new ultrasound scanner.

Some 400 souls turned out to take a bit of exercise in the gloaming as part of the Bournemouth Hospital Charity's annual Twilight Walk.

There were 10k, 5k and 1k events to take part in, with participants able to choose their own pace in support of a good cause.

Creating a festive atmosphere at the finish line was the Gugge 2000 band with a set of pumping popular classics.

Started in 2012, the Walk has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the cause of women's health at the Royal Bournemouth Hospital, £40,000 in the last two years alone.

Alex Taylor, consultant in women's health at the trust's new Jigsaw Building, said cash raised would go towards a new ultrasound scanner.

"It will allow earlier and more accurate detection of cancer of the womb, which will mean quicker treatment times," he said.

"With the extra accuracy it will avoid unnecessary further investigations for those women where we weren't too sure using previous scans."

Last year the event helped fund a Myosure device, which allows for the treatment of polyps without the need for general anaesthetic, with the various risks it presents.

First across the line in the 10k on Friday were two members of the hospital's own running club, governor Keith Mitchell, 62, and junior doctor Joyce Lai, 27.

"It is good fun taking part in an actual race," said Mr Mitchell.

"This event is very important as it allows us to buy equipment we would not normally be able to obtain. It gives us the extra bit of kit which in this job makes all the difference."