ABOUT 4,000 women are expected to converge on Maidstone this weekend for the town's seventh Race for Life event.

Organisers Cancer Research UK are running the event to raise money for research into cancers that affect women. The 5km race, the only one for west Kent, takes place in Mote Park, Maidstone, at 11am on Sunday.

It is one of 100 races involving nearly 200,000 women taking place across the country this summer and aims to bring together women of all ages and abilities for one common cause - fighting cancer.

Last year's Maidstone race raised £230,000 and it is hoped this year's event will top that.

Nationally, Cancer Research UK stands to make at least £17m from the series of events, which are sponsored by Tesco.

Race ambassador and patron of hope for the south east, Kent police officer Lisa Norman, said she was nervous about her opening speech but looking forward to the run.

She said: "All the money we are raising is keeping people like me strong and well. People can actually see where their money is going."

Two-and-a-half years ago Lisa, now 30, was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to undergo months of chemotherapy. But the training officer, from Bearsted, near Maidstone, has beaten the disease and feels she is living proof that Race for Life saves lives.

The Kent Messenger is supporting the event again this year and will have a stand at the race. Bill Moss, Maidstone's town centre manager, will compere the event. The race begins at 11am and the mass aerobic warm-up will start at 10.40am.

* Limited parking is available at the park via the entrance at Mote Avenue. Cars will be directed by race marshals.

* The roads around the park become extremely congested during the race and entrants are advised to take public transport, be dropped off or car share.

* Arrive at least one hour before the start of the race as entering the park is estimated to take at least 30 minutes.

* The organisers have secured Willington Street Park and Ride car park purely for those who are running, or spectating, and need somewhere to park.