GRAB your ball gowns because time is running out to enter next weekend’s Starlight Walk in aid of East Lancashire Hospice.

Participants in the ladies-only event are encouraged to take inspiration from the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing competition and don sequins and sparkles, as well as their walking boots, for the late-night walk, and add some glamour to the streets of Blackburn.

The fully-marshalled annual walk starts at 10pm on Saturday, June 28, and ladies can choose to take part in a five or eight-mile walk, and can even choose their distance on the night.

Exclusive design T.shirts have also been unveiled for the walk, which every person taking part will receive to wear on the night.

Sponsors the Cardboard Box Company, in Clayton-le-Moors, modelled the eye-catching T.shirts, which feature sparkly text on the front as the T.shirts were offic-ially launched.

Walkers can collect the T.shirts with their voucher from the Soccerdome from now until the walk sets off.

Peter Street, owner of the Cardboard Box Company, said: “The new T.shirts have been a hit with the staff already. I’m proud to support the hospice in this way, especially during their 30th anniversary year because the hospice helps the people around us, and you never know when you, or som-eone you know, might need it.”

The hospice provides specialist supportive and end-of-life care to the people of Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, but must raise £3m each year to survive. It relies heavily on donations and fundraisers, such as the walk, to continue to offer support.

Many of the women taking part are doing so in memory of friends, or family, who have benefited from the care of the hospice in their final days.

Ann Aspin and daughter Nicola, from Barrow, will take part in memory of Ann’s husband and Nicola’s dad, Alan, who died in 2010 from a brain tumour aged 65, just six weeks after being diagnosed.

And a team of five from Darwen will walk in mem-ory of their friend Sarah Glover, who was only 36 when she died after a battle with cervical cancer.

Denise Gee, hospice events organiser said: “We’re really looking forward to another fabulous night.

“The ladies who take part are inspirational because, no matter what the weather, or how tired their feet are, they give it their all.

“Some may have a heavy heart when remembering that special reason they are walking, but all the ladies, whatever their reasons for taking part, do it with a smile on their face while raising much-needed funds for a wonderful cause.”

Online registration remains open until Friday.

Women and children over the age of 10 can still register to take part, or offer to volunteer for the event, by calling 01254 733411.

People can register on the evening at the Soccerdome, in Guide, from 8.30pm, for £30.