ONE hundred women from Bury Council will be going for gold at the huge Heaton Park Race for Life event on June 6.

Team Bury, as they and their friends will be known, is sure to be one of the largest squads competing in the annual five-kilometre run for Cancer Research UK.

Apart from raising funds, the women have also taken the opportunity to improve their own health by joining a "get fit" training programme provided by the council's leisure services.

Some of the team had a warm-up by taking part in the Holcombe Hill Challenge on April 25.

The council team will be clearly recognisable on the day as a special Team Bury t-shirt is being produced for the event.

Eleni Ioannides, the council's director of social services, health and housing, has already started rallying the troops.

"Most of us know someone who has been affected by cancer and this is our chance to help by raising money for cancer research and have a bit of fun at the same time," she said.

Supporters can sponsor Team Bury as well as individual runners. Donations can be made at Bury Town Hall, Whittaker Street in Radcliffe, or the Longfield Suite in Prestwich.