GIRLS: it will soon be time to step out - on Weymouth seafront in the second annual Midnight Walk.

Weldmar Hospicecare Trust has places for 1,000 women to take part in the event on Saturday, August 30.

It will start and finish at Weymouth Pavilion and there is a choice of distances - either 6km or 10km.

Event organiser Fiona Childs said: "After the success of last year's event, all the feedback from the ladies who took part said that they wanted to do it again...so here we are."

More than £50,000 was raised from the first Midnight Walk last year. Hundreds of women tackled the trek. Many wore fancy dress or walked in memory of lost loved ones. Fiona added: "We are not setting a minimum sponsorship level but we ask all walkers to do their best.

"All monies raised will go towards patient care."

Walkers need to register to take part and entry will be on a first-come first-served basis.

There is a £15 registration fee which covers administration costs, walk T-shirt and medal. Organisers said that this means that all money raised through sponsorship will go directly towards patient care.

The walk is open to women aged 16 years of age and over.

It will start at midnight from the Pavilion and it is expected to take between two and four hours. Fiona said: "We want this to be a fun event. The atmosphere last year was tremendous.

"All our ladies will be given walk T-shirts to train in and then to wear on the night.

"Last year we saw mothers, daughters, friends and work colleagues all take part from across the county."

The charity was formed from the merger of the Joseph Weld Hospice, Trimar Hospice and CancerCare Dorset. It cares for patients in North, South and West Dorset with cancer and other progressive and life-limiting conditions that need specialist help.

Fiona said that although the event is women-only, men and non-walkers are needed too.

Friends and partners of the ladies taking part are being asked to help as marshals and helpers for the walk.

You can download an entry form here.