TUTUS, bunny ears, fancy dress outfits and simple T-shirts with the names and photographs of loved ones lit up Blackburn during the annual Starlight Walk last night.

Almost 1,000 walkers crossed the finish line on the Midnight Walk to raise tens of thousands of pounds for East Lancashire Hospice.

Setting off at the Soccerdome, Guide, at 10pm, hundreds of women made their way across the town in memory of loved ones.

The electric atmosphere around the eight mile walk has been hailed the ‘best ever’ and plans are underway to make it even bigger next year.

Caroline Harris, 34, of Apple Close, Blackburn, walked in memory of her father Joe Smith, 57, who died from bone cancer last November.

She said: “This is my first Father’s Day without him and I cried when it got to midnight.

“The walk was brilliant, very emotional. I’m sore but I’m really proud and happy that I got to the finish line.

“If my dad was here he would have cheered me along and waited at the finish. It was one of his dreams to raise funds for the hospice.”

Joe was given two months to live but continued to fight the cancer for 18 months. Caroline raised £1,057 for the hospice.

Walkers were given a surprise free glass of wine from the Secret Wardrobe store in Blackburn as they made their way around the route.

The first walker crossed the finish line at the Soccerdome at 11.57pm with the last woman finishing at 1.30am.

Fundraiser Denise Gee said: “It was amazing. It was electric. The atmosphere was very emotional.

"As the fundraiser it was a privilege to watch and cong-ratulate everybody who crossed the finish line.

"It was a fun girls night out with a difference.

“This year’s walk was the best ever.”

Click on the link below for our photo gallery from the event.