PLACES for this year's Worcester Race for Life are being snapped up in record time, just weeks after the event was officially opened.

Since the Cancer Research UK event website went live and the entry lines opened in mid-January, 2,264 women and girls have signed up in the race to secure one of 5,500 places.

Five weeks before last year's 5km event, every place had been snapped up, leaving many disappointed.

Worcester's race has proved so popular that this year 500 extra places are up for grabs.

Events executive and regional organiser, Rebecca Hillyard said: "The response to this years Race for Life has been absolutely fantastic.

"In Worcester the current number entered is over 600 more than at this time last year, which is brilliant.

"The women in Worcester have really got behind the event and made it one of the most popular Race for Life events in the country. Women are signing up earlier this year and I think this is because they don't want to miss out."

Last year, participants pounded across Pitchcroft Racecourse and through the city streets, raising £320,000 and smashing the fund-raising target by £55,000.

Organisers hope that this year, the city will raise £330,0000 when the event comes to Pitchcroft on Sunday, June 11.

For the first time in the event's 11-year history it will come to Malvern's Three Counties Showground, on Wednesday May 31, with 3,000 places. There will also be room for 1,800 participants in Evesham's event, at Crown Meadows on Sunday, June 25.

To enter, or for more information visit www.racefor life.org or call 0870 5134314.