Women walkers are being invited to tour the Auld Grey Town by night in a moonlit event to raise much-needed funds for a cancer charity.

CancerCare (North Lancashire and South Lakeland) has organised the event in the spirit of the popular MoonWalk, when walkers, wearing decorated bras, take to the streets overnight to raise money for breast cancer research and cancer care.

The Kendal event will be similar, although walkers will not be asked to don their underwear as outerwear - unless they would like to. In fact, special T-shirts will be provided which those taking part will be able to decorate, either for themselves as individuals or to mark out the members of a walking team.

It is hoped that between 300 and 500 women will take part and complete the walk - which will start at midnight on Saturday, May 12 - in between three-and-a-half and five hours, enjoying a rejuvenating breakfast afterwards.

The event is designed to heighten awareness of CancerCare and the services it offers, and to raise much-needed funds for the charity through the entry fee and sponsorship.

Last year, it cost £2,546 each day to run CancerCare and all its services, for people with cancer, their families and carers.

Organiser Helen Hartin said that she had completed the MoonWalk in London a couple of times, and thought that local people might like to enjoy the camaraderie of a similar event while raising money for a local cancer charity.

CancerCare has grown considerably in recent years, and cares for people at two centres - the Lakes Centre, in Kendal, and Slynedales, in Lancaster - as well as offering additional support in other local health care settings, at home and in the Barrow area.

StarWalk participants may want to walk in memory of a loved one, or in support of someone who is going through cancer treatment.

The walk will start and finish at Kendal Leisure Centre and will make a number of loops around the town to make up the distance. Transport will be available for anyone who is not able to finish the walk.

The entry fee will be £10, and those interested are asked to register as soon as possible. For more information, contact 01524-381820 or see www.starwalk.org.uk.

l CancerCare's second cross-bay half marathon takes place on June 24, and the organisation is holding a ladies' day at Cartmel Races on May 26.