CANCER survivors will line up alongside people who are taking part in memory of loved ones and those who want to support research into cancer as the annual Race for Life event returns to the city this weekend.

The race, organised by Cancer Research UK Race for Life, will see more than 14,000 women tackling the course today and tomorrow.

Among the participants will be Casualty actress Jane Hazlegrove, who plays the part of paramedic Dixie in the drama.

She will be running with her mum in what will be her first Race for Life.

Jane said: "I turned 40 last year and wanted to do something for Cancer Research.

"My grandmother, who I never knew, died of cancer, so taking part in Race for Life makes this extra special for me.

"I am really looking forward to taking part on Sunday."

The vice principal of Colston's Girls' School is taking part in the event a year after being diagnosed with leukaemia.

Alison Taylor, 40 has recently returned to work at the girls' academy in Cheltenham Road, although she is still being treated at the haematology unit in Bristol.

She will walk with fellow members of a recently-established support group for adults with the illness and is being sponsored by staff at the school.

Mrs Taylor said: "I was diagnosed with acute promyelocytic leukaemia last year, when my son was 10 months old. While I was being treated I met others in a similar situation to me in terms of age, work and family and we found there was no support, so we have set one up and are recruiting new members.

"Our aim is also to raise awareness of leukaemia in adults with a view to fund-raising in the future."

Also running is Laura Hicks, 20, from Midsomer Norton who had her lung removed in 2007 following a diagnosis of Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of cancer which affects about 2,000 people a year.

She will also be running with her mum Caryl in their first Race for Life.

Laura said: "I decided to run and hope that I will inspire people.

"I want to stop others from going through the grief and maybe I could be a message of hope to others going through treatment and show there is life after cancer, even if it doesn't seem like it at the time.

"Cancer Research is such a worthwhile cause, and without the latest research, I may not have survived."

The charity will use money from the Race for Life to help fund clinical trials which could lead to treatments for the disease in the future.

it is also supporting a Bristol University study into how diet might prevent bowel cancer.