ELATED late-night walkers took to the streets in their hundreds to raise money for a much-loved care service in North Oxfordshire.

Some 500 charity champions donned fancy dress – this year with an 'animals' theme – to walk, shimmy and dance through Banbury for Katharine House Hospice late on Saturday night and into Sunday morning.

The eleventh Midnight Walk is set to raise almost £70,000 for the Adderbury hospice's work offering specialist care to people with life-limiting illnesses and loved ones.

Katharine House spokesman Chris Higgins said: "This year’s Midnight Walk was our best event yet and shows just how much support there is for local hospice care.

"Whether it’s people staying in our hospice at the end of their lives, people who need support to live with their illness in their own homes or in a care home, or children, teenagers, and adults who need help coming to terms with the loss of someone special, the money raised will make a real difference to the lives of local families."

It costs £10,000 a day for Katharine House to provide services to families in North Oxfordshire and surrounding counties.

Many of those taking part on the night had a connection to the hospice, with other simply taking part because of the work the hospice does for local people.

Bacon rolls were provided by Reg's Cafe in Thorpe Way in Banbury, and music brought to walkers courtesy of Radio Horton.