A HUGELY-popular Manorlands hike is on track to be another runaway success.

The Starlight Hike, which last year raised over £60,000 for the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice, will again feature a special express train.

The September 3 event will begin at Oxenhope Station, where there will be music, stalls, entertainment and a warm-up.

Participants will then board the Starlight Express – one of the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway's steam trains specially re-named for the night – and travel to Oakworth, where the 10km walk will begin.

The hike will follow a marshalled route through Oakworth and Haworth and back towards Oxenhope, taking in the Starlight Avenue – within the hospice grounds – where people can hang a star dedicated to the life of a loved one.

At the finish, walkers will receive a goody bag and hot sandwich.

Main sponsor of the event is Stirk Lambert Solicitors, of Keighley.

Registration for the hike is now open and there is a cut-price fee of £12, compared to the normal £18, until the end of July.

Sue Taylor, ward manager at Manorlands, said the event was a great chance to get together with friends for a worthy cause.

"The best part is walking with friends all dressed-up and having a great team spirit," she said.

"It is enjoyable but you know you are there to raise money for such a great cause, which is close to all our hearts.

"It is always especially nice to see the friends and families of the patients we have looked after on the ward.

"I would recommend anyone to join in the fun – be part of the community spirit to raise money for your local hospice!’"

Her comments are echoed by Hayley Ibbotson, senior fundraiser and event organiser at Manorlands.

"The Starlight Hike is a fantastic way of getting family, friends and colleagues together to raise funds and we hope lots of people from the local community will support it once again," she added.

"I would like to thank Stirk Lambert for its invaluable support and the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway for very generously providing all its services to us on the night completely free of charge."

Volunteer helper roles, such as marshals and ambassadors, are also available for people who don't wish to walk but want to get involved.

This year it will cost £3.3 million to run Manorlands and 70 per cent of that will need to be covered by voluntary donations.

Visit sueryder.org/starlighthike/manorlands or call 01535 640430 for more details about the hike and to register.