WOMEN in Southampton taking part in Race for Life on Sunday are in for a special treat.

A group of hunky male cheerleaders will make their debut appearance on Southampton Common to "Give a Big Hand" to participants and supporters.

Nivea has recruited a team of young males to add extra fun to this women-only event.

The cheerleaders, pictured right, will be wearing their inflatable "Big Hands" at the Southampton event to show male supporters that they too can get involved by "giving a big hand" to those taking part in the race.

Available at selected races or at www.nivea.co.uk/raceforlife, the hands cost £2 with all profits going to Cancer Research UK's vital research.

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang star Craig McLachlan will get proceedings under way and super nurse Anne Croudas will wear the no 1 shirt. Anne has been chosen by the Daily Echo to front its Do it for Anne campaign to raise awareness of how the money raised locally is spent.

Sadly every year nearly half the women who take part in the event fail to return any sponsorship money so the paper is putting its efforts into encouraging women to ensure they make a donation.