A carnival atmosphere will descend on Southampton as hundreds of people take steps towards finding a cure for a life-threatening disease that affects 20,000 British children.

In what has become one of the south's biggest fundraising events, more than 1,500 people will be putting their best foot forward in the Walk to Cure Diabetes tomorrow.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) hopes that its flagship fundraising event at Itchen Valley Country Park will raise £100,000 for further research to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Families, businesses and youngsters from across the county will be joining stilt walkers in an entertaining warm-up before the sixth annual walk begins at 11am.

Thirteen-year-old Georgina Shepherd, from Hedge End, is just one of those stepping up to the five-mile challenge, preparing to complete the course in fancy dress, supported by 14 of her friends.

This will be Georgina's fourth walk after being diagnosed with the disease at the age of ten.

Her mum, Helen Shepherd, said: "The event is quite emotional for us and it is wonderful to see so many people support the research campaign."

Walkers in Southampton will be joining hundreds of thousands of people across the world as the international event takes place in 200 different locations.

Luanne Martin, from JDRF, said: "The number of children under five being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes is increasing each year. The Walk to Cure Diabetes is not only a fun day out for the whole family but it is a great way to help JDRF continue to fund research."