Hundreds of people turned out for a community fun day to help in the battle against cancer.

Families enjoyed the activities at the Relay for Life Harrow Family Fun Day at the Bannister Sports Centre in Uxbridge Road yesterday.

People showed their support to those taking part in the annual relay to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The members of more than 15 teams took it in turns round the track continuously for a total of 21 hours, all raising money for the charity.

Organiser Mark Clements said: “Since about this time last year a huge amount of work has gone into organising this event.

“The reason we are doing this relay through the day and night is because cancer never sleeps and neither will we until we have beaten it.

“Cancer is totally life-changing for not only the person diagnosed but also for all the family and friends around them.

“And we are here to show our support to all those people who have gone through this journey and we will not stop until we have shown cancer who is boss.”

To start the 21-hour relay, the 15 teams gathered at the start line for the first lap, led by those who have survived their battle with cancer.

Marc De Jersey took part in the relay in a Cookie Monster costume to show support to his three-year-old nephew Jack, who was diagnosed with leukaemia in the USA.

He said: “This whole event is amazing and really shows a fantastic community spirit in Harrow.

“It really raises awareness and I think that is one of the most important things. The work the team have done to organise this and raise so much money is phenomenal.”

Over its seven years Relay for Life Harrow has raised more than £450,000 for Cancer Research UK, and this year organisers hope to go above the £500,000 mark.

Jenny Flack from Cancer Research UK said: “The work the Harrow team do every year to put on this event is fantastic and to raise half a million is just amazing.”

Later in the evening people were able to remember a loved one who may have been affected by cancer at the Candle of Hope Ceremony.