TRAINING shoes at the ready . . .

Women planning to take part in this year's Race For Life in Huddersfield are being encouraged to start their training programme now.

And dozens turned out for the first in a series of weekly training runs.

Last year, 2,500 women and girls took part in the five-kilometre Greenhead Park event, raising more than £129,000 for the Cancer Research UK charity.

Anyone thinking of taking part in this year's event on June 20 is asked to attend the free training sessions to get in shape for the day. Kirklees Council Leisure Development staff are holding sessions in the park from 6pm to 7pm every Thursday.

Meet Louise Taylor at the pavilion next to the tennis courts each week for the nine-week programme leading up to the race.

"It is an ideal way of building up to being able to complete the course.

"It has also proved a great way to meet others who are trying to achieve something similar," said Louise.

The sessions include warm- ups, advice on running and walking for the race and motivation for people taking part.

Entry forms for the event are available from Tesco stores, Kirklees Leisure Development at the McAlpine Stadium or online at www.raceforlife.co.uk or via the hotline on 08705 134314.