SUPERFIT flame-haired gardener Charlie Dimmock is looking forward to starting the largest Race for Life event in the country which takes place at Southampton Common on Sunday, July 18.

Up to 10,000 women are expected to complete the 5km course on Southampton Common - so far 9,298 women have signed up but there's still time to fill the last 702 available places.

Charlie, who took part in the TV series The Games and impressed everyone with her fitness levels, said she is looking forward to starting the race along with Sue White - a cancer victor who will wear the № 1 vest.

"It's a great honour to be asked to start the race - I've never been to a Race for Life before and I am really looking forward to it," she said.

Charlie will not be running on the day as she has another important date with the Royal British Legion in Wellow - and she is full of admiration for the thousands of women taking part.

"I have been involved with several of the cancer charities. I took part in the walk along part of the Great Wall of China for Breakthrough Breast Cancer.

"I have had several friends who have had cancer and it is important to do this type of fundraising to help fund research," she said.

Charlie took part in the London Marathon and she said the experience taught her the importance of training.

"Even if you are walking, it's important to do the training and build up slowly because you will be on your feet for a long time.

"When I took part in the London Marathon I had never run before except on the hockey pitch.

"I started off running for 10 -15 minutes and it almost killed me. But I steadily built up until I could complete the distance," she said.

Charlie will be taking part in the Great North Run in September and she will be starting training for that soon.

"It's a half marathon and I must get in some training soon," said Charlie, who was in Hampshire to launch the North Baddesley in Bloom competition.

"I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the start of Race for Life - it's great that so many women are taking part.

"It doesn't matter if you are running or walking - it's just important to be there," she said.

The Southampton race has gone from strength to strength.

Last year just over 5,000 women took part and now it looks like double that number will be lining up to help raise up to £500,000 for cancer research.

Organiser Karina Morgan said she was delighted Southampton is hosting the largest Race for Life in the UK.

"It is fantastic for Southampton and great for the women of the city.

"We are looking forward to the day and expect it to be a really special event for everyone taking part," she said.