NUNS, Jedi knights, Baywatch lifeguards and Snow White’s Seven Dwarfs had a whale of a time splashing around in the mud of Ferndown’s fifth Relay for Life.

More than 500 people, divided into 40 teams, donned wellies to take part in the 24-hour party event around Ferndown Leisure Centre’s track at the weekend.

Live bands and dance demonstrations helped to keep the participants’ spirits up despite Saturday’s downpours, and there were lots of wacky activities from face-painting to leg waxing to entertain the troops as they raised money for Cancer Research UK.

Jason Lawford, an organiser, said: “We had some torrential downpours early on but luckily the rain moved off and things dried off a bit.

“To be there for 24 hours, you have to keep things interesting. While everybody’s walking around, the teams had to complete challenges, like collecting various things.”

The Run Rabbits picked up the Challenge Cup and a Shining Star award went to the “phenomenal” Ferndown Air Training Corps who entered a team and also provided volunteers.

Bands Munro Jazz, The Prairie Dogs, Route 66, True Rumour and Repeat Offenders all took to the stage. Then at 5pm on Saturday things calmed down for a Candle of Hope ceremony to remember cancer sufferers.

Mr Lawford said: “Everyone decorated a paper bag in memory of lost loved ones and we laid those all around the track to create a huge loop of light in the darkness.

“Everybody took their time to go around and think about the courage those people had shown. It was a real time for contemplation.”

Organisers are still totting up the sponsorship money, but hope to raise around £45,000.

“We’re hoping the total will grow,” Mr Lawford added. “It’s not just the money though – it’s about the community coming together and boosting understanding, which is just as important.”