A Worcester woman said she will be running with tears in her eyes when she leads off Race For Life through the Faithful City.

Almost a year after her husband died of lung cancer, an emotional Shirley Percival will step to the front of the starting line to set the pace for about 5,500 women running to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The 57-year-old, of Dudley Close, Dines Green, won the chance to wear the much coveted number one bib after she wrote an impassionate letter in response to a competition in by the Worcester News in conjunction with Race For Life organisers.

Mrs Percival said: "I'm personally somebody who never does any exercise so that's the first challenge, but I'm running in memory of my husband - it's all for him, and to raise awareness of cancer.

"There will probably be lots of tears but a great sense of camaraderie."

Mrs Percival, a finance assistant, said she knew she would have to find the courage to take part in this year's Race For Life after she watched her 59-year-old husband rapidly lose his fight against lung cancer.

Mrs Percival said Terry, who was an ardent fund-raiser, died in hospital just seven weeks after he had been diagnosed with the disease at the beginning of May last year.

Mrs Percival said although she is still grieving, she will draw strength from her two daughters Sara, aged 34, and Cheryl, 30, who will also be running on Sunday, June 10.

"It is they who have given me the courage to take part," she said.

The former pub licensee said she was looking forward to the event with "nervous anticipation" but will be proud to pull on the number one vest.

The event, which starts at 11am at Worcester Racecourse, is expected to raise about £380,000 to add to the £140 million that has been raised since 1994 to help fund scientists, doctors and nurses working to help beat cancer.

Time is running out to register for the race but you can still do so by calling 08705 134314 or logging onto www.raceforlife.org