EMBARRASSED Race for Life participants have coughed up their sponsorship money following an appeal in the Worcester News.

Following August's article, shaming 3,000 women and girls who failed to hand in their money, 1,500 then collected their funds and sent them in, bringing the city's record breaking total to £300,000 - the highest in its seven-year history.

The proceeds raised have smashed the target set by organisers by a staggering £40,000.

Worcester's event organiser, Clare Hartley was thrilled with the response.

"Local support for Race for Life has been growing year on year in Worcester and it's great to see the money rolling in," she said.

"This support really will make a difference so thank you to everyone who took part and sent in their sponsorship money."

The remaining 1,500 women who have failed to fulfil their promise have been urged to stump up the cash.

Clare added: "Cancer Research UK's ground breaking work can only continue, and grow, with donations and money raised through events such as Race for Life, so please remember to send in your sponsorship money and help us to cure cancer faster so people can stay together for longer."

On Sunday June 12, 5,000 women and girls pounded Pitchcroft racecourse and through the city streets.

Places for the event were snapped up and people had to be turned away.

For next year's event, organisers have urged people not to take part if they are not going to bother handing in the money and let genuine fund-raisers take the precious places.

Between May and July, more than 550,000 people took part in 170 events across the UK, raising more than £30m for ground breaking work into the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer.

For more information on how to pay in your money visit www.raceforlife.org or call 08705 134314.