Picture Ref: 77724-50A BUNCH of florists will don wacky hats for the Race for Life event at Lydiard Park.

Mother and daughter Linda Howse, 59, and Sandie Eustace, 32, who own Floral Design in Whitehouse Road, designed hats for 17 staff, family and friends.

Plastic flowers, including lilies, roses and gerberas, as well as peacock feathers and twigs have been used to decorate them.

The women and girls, aged from nine to 63, who will walk the five-kilometre course on Sunday, will also wear t-shirts with Floral Design and Race for Life logos on them.

"It took about 20 minutes to make each hat," said Sandie. "We should stand out in the crowd. The hardest thing will be keeping them on our heads."

A band of supporters, including husbands, will support the group on the day and they hope to raise around £1,500.

Sandie, who has taken part in the event for the last couple of years, said she first entered because her husband's aunt, Carol Young, of Ridgeway Road, was diagnosed with breast cancer about five years ago.

"This time I wanted to get people together to raise as much money as we could," she said.

"It will be the first time I have done it in a crazy costume. We're just hoping for some sunshine and are looking forward to having fun for a good cause."

About 6,000 women are expected to take part in the Cancer Research UK event tomorrow and Sunday. The overall target for Swindon is £390,000, which will contribute to a UK total of £23m.

This year the race had to be extended over a weekend because so many women wanted to take part.

One of the most striking things about the race is how it brings together women who have personal experiences of cancer.

Each runner can dedicate the race to someone they have lost and attach a message to their back.

Karina Morgan, race organiser, said: "We're delighted at the support Swindon's women have shown Cancer Reasearch UK's Race for Life, supported by Tesco.

"We have many teams taking part in the race and are extremely grateful for their efforts."

Ben Payne