PINK was the colour of the day as the Race for Life 2011 was launched in the town on Saturday.

Tesco and Cancer Research UK were at the town hall to launch the event, which this year will include one 10k event and two 5k’s, one of which will take place in the evening for the first time ever.

Following the official launch, the team spent the rest of the day painting the town pink and encouraging mums, daughters, grandmas, friends and workmates to sign up to the event to raise funds for charity.

Karina Walker, Cancer Research UK national events manager, said: “We are doing it a bit different this year by holding an evening 5k event.

“It is a really popular event here in Swindon and we just want to give women the option of taking part in the evening.

“We are hoping that over 9,000 women in Swindon will sign up to take part this year.”

And despite the heavy downpours, the charity sent their ‘snap shot teams’ out in the town to scout faces on the streets and photograph women who pledge to take part in the event at Lydiard Park.

But unlike most advertising campaigns, there were no auditions or screen tests for a shot at fame, instead the women will appear on giant billboard posters to promote the event.

The images taken on Saturday will be transformed into a giant poster that will be erected on a billboard in the town.

It is hoped that such an unusual advert – which features faces local women can relate to as their friends, family or neighbours - will motivate more people than ever before to enter.

The events take place at Lydiard Park, on Saturday, May 21, Sunday, May 22 and Wednesday, July 20. To enter visit www.raceforlife.org or call 0871 641 1111.