CANCER Research UK has made an urgent plea for volunteers to help a vital fundraiser go ahead in Cheshire.

The charity's much-loved Race for Life and Pretty Muddy events take place at Tatton Park this month, raising funds for crucial research.

The Race for Life takes place on Sunday, June 23, but the Pretty Muddy event, held the day before on June 22, is at risk of not taking place.

More than 2,400 people are set to take part in the obstacle race, but only small number of volunteers have signed up to support on the day.

Cancer Research UK events manager Richard Healey said: “We are struggling to recruit volunteers to help us on the day.

"Without sufficient numbers, we will be unable to open the 11 obstacles, which means we would not be able to run the Pretty Muddy part of our event.

"With more than 2,400 people currently signed up to take part in Pretty Muddy alone, this will result in a huge amount of money not going towards our important research."

Anyone who is able to support the event, whether it is for the whole day or just a couple of hours, is encouraged to sign up online by visiting: cancerresearchuk.org/get-involved/volunteer.

The events are run in partnership with headline sponsor Standard Life.