MADCAP Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star Craig McLachlan got in some practice for starting the Race for Life when he met up with The Mayflower team of runners.

The Aussie star of the popular musical show will get the event under way, and he admitted that he was really looking forward to sharing his day off with 10,000 women on Southampton Common.

He said: "I am delighted that I have been asked to start the Southampton Race for Life on Sunday, July 15.

"Cancer research is such a worthwhile cause and when the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang company heard about how important and well supported the Race for Life was in Southampton, we jumped at the chance to get behind it.

"We are having a collection at the end of each performance on the Saturday, so dig deep into your pockets.

"It's going to be a blast getting to say g'day to the 10,000 gorgeous ladies on the day."

Super-nurse Anne Croudas will wear the no 1 shirt on July 15. Anne has been chosen by the Daily Echo to front its Do It For Anne' campaign to raise awareness of how the money raised in Southampton is spent.

Sadly each year just under half the women who take part in the Race for Life fail to return any sponsorship money, so the paper is putting its efforts into encouraging women to ensure that they make a donation.

Woman & Lifestyle Editor Kate Thompson said: "Anne and the group of super-nurses she leads are doing a wonderful job linking between the life-saving research and cancer patients.

"It costs £800,000 a year to fund Anne and her team - the amount that organisers hope will be raised in Southampton.

"Let's make sure that everyone who takes part this year sends in a donation so Anne and her team can continue their crucial work."