TEAMS of Tesco employees are toning up to take part in Hereford's Race for Life as the 10-week countdown to the big day begins.

Herefordian woman of all ages and fitness abilities are to pull out all the stops to raise cash for Cancer Research UK during the city's second annual event on July 18.

Mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, wives and best friends will come together for the unique 5km event, due to take place at Hereford Racecourse.

The fantastic response from nearly 1,000 county women who raised £48,000 last year has inspired many others to enter early this year.

Even before the launch, 750 women had signed up for Race for Life 2004.

"Hereford Race for Life is a fantastic and emotional event, and the women and girls from Hereford have really taken Race for Life to their hearts," said national events executive Nic Clarke.

"We have fabulous support from the people of Hereford and it is a pleasure to organise Race for Life for such wonderful people."

This year, organisers hope to bring together 325,000 women for 150 different events across the country to raise more than £20 million.

The money will go to funding the work of over 3,000 doctors, nurses and scientists, research equipment and medical trials.

Every year 136,000 women are diagnosed with cancer.

Dr Lesley Walker, director of cancer information at Cancer Research UK, said: "More than one in three people in the UK will get cancer at some point in their lifetime and one in four will die from the disease.

"The only thing that will improve these figures is research. By taking part in Race for Life women everywhere will be actively contributing to advances that will save lives."

To enter Race for Life or for further information log on to www.raceforlife.org or call 08705 134314.