People in Dumbarton and the Vale are being encouraged to get the year off to a great start by making a date to join Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Organisers are appealing for people of all ages and abilities to stride out to help beat cancer with the first 5K and 10K events of the year kicking off in May.

Lisa Adams, Cancer Research UK’s spokeswoman in Scotland, said: “Our Race for Life events are fun, colourful, emotional and uplifting.

“They help people with cancer by raising money for research, including clinical trials which give patients across Scotland access to the latest treatments.

"You don’t have to be sporty to take part. You don’t need to train or compete against anyone else.

"All you need to do is go to the Race for Life website, pick an event, sign up and then have fun raising money in whatever way you like.

“Taking part enables like-minded people to get together and remember loved ones lost to cancer or celebrate the lives of those who have survived.

"At the same time, they are helping to make a difference to people with cancer, right now.

"Our Race for Life events were women-only when they started, over 25 years ago. But we now feel the time is right to open them up so that everyone - women, men and children – has the chance to participate together."

The first events are in Stirling and South Queensferry on May 12, closely followed by events across the country.

Scotland’s biggest Race for Life event is on Sunday May 19 at Glasgow Green.

To enter, visit raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.