THOUSANDS of women proved they weren't afraid to get dirty in the name of charity at the weekend in York.

Cancer Research UK staged its popular Race for Life Pretty Muddy event on Knavesmire on Saturday, which is expected to raise about £150,000 for the charity.

Participants, who had to be aged 13 or over, tackled a 5km muddy obstacle course, which involved scrambling over an A-frame and crawling through a mud pit to raise valuable funds for beating cancer.

More than 3,000 women took part in the event.

Among those who completed the Pretty Muddy challenge was Nicola Fletcher, 39, of Chapelfields Road, York, who has raised about £400, which will be matched by her employer Aviva.

She said: "I had a cancer scare and that spurred me on to do it.

"I had a mole on my wrist but it didn't turn out to be cancer. Two of my best friends have lost their mothers to cancer."

She added: "The course was brilliant. There's such a great atmosphere. Everyone is so friendly."

Dawn May, of Leeman Road, York, also crossed the finish line, and described the challenge as "brilliant fun."

"My mum died of cancer seven years ago so I was keen to raise money for Cancer Research UK" the 56-year-old said.

Dawn has raised about £100 for the charity.

Elly Treanor, 40, of School Street, Acomb, works for City of York Council and took on the course with some of her colleagues. She has helped raise about £300.

"I work with a woman whose sister battled cancer this year, so me and my work colleagues have taken part together," Elly said.

"It's the first time I have done it, it was really good fun."

Emma Colbourne, Cancer Research UK area events manager, was impressed by the number of participants this year.

She said: "It was fantastic to see so many ladies in pink. Everyone was in great spirits and got stuck into it.

"We had lots of supporters, including partners, family members and friends, and all the brilliant volunteers that make it possible."