A RELAY race to raise cash for combatting cancer will be free to enter for the first time in its history.

The fifth Relay for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK takes place on Saturday September 9 at the Colchester garrison track in Circular Road North.

Previously adult participants have paid £15 each to take part.

But the committee of volunteer organisers say they want to encourage more people to enter by waiving the fee.

Instead people will be encouraged to raise as much as cash as they can through sponsorship or holding their own fundraising event.

The Relay for Life lasts for 24 hours and during that time team members, who also include cancer survivors, take it in turns to walk laps of the athletics track to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and remember those who have died.

This year organisers are also hoping to create a festival atmosphere with live music, food and straw bales for spectators to sit on.

Teams should ideally contain eight to 15 members and the captain must be aged over 18.

However, members can be any age with dogs even encouraged.

The relay starts at 11am.

Over the last four years the event has raised more than £130,000 for Cancer Research UK.

To sign up go to www.relayforlifecolchester.org.uk. Information is also available at www.facebook.com/relayforlifecolchester