A CLEAR and starlit night greeted nearly 800 women as they took part in the Grove House Midnight Walk on Saturday. The women-only, 10-mile walk set out from St Michael s Parish Centre in St Albans at midnight and the final walker hobbled back in at 5am. T

A CLEAR and starlit night greeted nearly 800 women as they took part in the Grove House Midnight Walk on Saturday.

The women-only, 10-mile walk set out from St Michael's Parish Centre in St Albans at midnight and the final walker hobbled back in at 5am.

The Mayor of St Albans, Cllr Bert Pawle, counted down the walkers as they set off and more than £70,000 was pledged on the night for Grove House, the St Albans day hospice which is supported by the Herts Advertiser.

Staff from Champneys were on hand to provide back and foot massage for the walkers.

Loraine Mackay, who was the last walker back, said: "It was awesome. I've never done anything like this before. The atmosphere was electrifying. It was really well organised and the marshals were wonderful."

She added: "I'm so glad I did it and although my feet are aching, I'll definitely be there for next year's walk.