MORE than 350 women braved the pouring rain for a midnight walk expected to have raised £30,000 for a cancer hospice.

The Daily Echo-backed Starlight Stroll for Lewis Manning Hospice kicked off at midnight. Women of all ages walked from Durley Chine to Boscombe Pier and back. The atmosphere remained upbeat despite the weather with participants fully kitted out in waterproof macs and carrying umbrellas - apart from a hardy pair who wore pyjamas!

Half way through the five-mile walk participants were handed flapjacks and squash to keep their spirits up.

The last participants crossed the finish line at around 2am.

Maria Tidy, events fund raiser for Lewis Manning, said: "It all went really well despite the rain. It started at midnight on the dot. Participants got back really quickly and the first lot came back within the hour.

"People turned up in wet waterproofs and two ladies turned up in pyjamas. The atmosphere was buzzing. We had a warm-up at 11.30pm and everyone joined in with that.

"They were pretty much all from Dorset but we did have some ladies from Somerset and some from Warwickshire.

"A lot of people were doing it in memory of family and friends who have had cancer and used the hospice.

"We were hoping for at least 200 women and to raise £10,000 so it has exceeded our hopes."