SISTERS will admire Oxford's buildings bathed in street light for a charity tradition they have cherished for ten years.

Sobell House hospice in Headington, which provides end-of-life care for many of Oxfordshire's most poorly patients, will host its tenth Moonlight Stroll in summer which sees a charitable troupe tread through the city at night.

Joanne and Helen Turner, who live with family in Cassington, have walked the stroll - which has been extended to ten miles this year to mark the milestone - every year since it began.

Joanne Turner, 28, said: "We thought it sounded a bit different, walking through Oxford at night. It seemed like fun and we have enjoyed it every year. It's just a chance to dress up and go round the city."

The pair said they enjoyed slipping into silly outfits according to the stroll's theme, which this year is 'seventies'.

She added: "Last year it was superheroes so we wore masks and capes. There was a pyjama theme when I wore a unicorn onesie and another time I went as Alice in Wonderland. We are thinking of going in afros this time.

"Everybody is really out to have a good time. All the walkers and marshals encourage each other to keep going, it's a lot of fun and it's for a good cause. It's also good exercise and it really doesn't feel that long because you can take your time doing it. There are stops around and there is no pressure.

"Everywhere is all lit up and it's less crowded than in the daytime. You get to go to places you wouldn't normally go round, past churches and through gardens."

The Oxfordshire County Council employee said though she and her sister have not had personal experience with Sobell House, it was important to do something for a good cause especially in light of the hospice's 40th anniversary this year.

Her sister, 25-year-old school cleaner Helen Turner, said: "The atmosphere is generally brilliant. You get people going over the top with the costumes, I saw at least two or three boats when there was a pirate theme.

"With the walking itself you take it in your own stride. You can quite happily plod along, it usually takes us about five hours. It's ultimately a case of walking until you feel like collapsing but it's such a nice feeling to finish.

"The marshals come along and say good morning and at the halfway point you have an enormous array of things to snack on."

To sign up for the Moonlight Stroll, which takes place from 10.30pm on July 16, visit sobellhouse.org.