CANCER Research UK has cancelled next year’s Race for Life event in Banbury.

It said a lower than expected turnout at this year’s Broughton Castle event led to the decision.

The event sees thousands of women across the UK run in pink clothing for sponsorship cash. Other “smaller” UK events had been cancelled, the charity said.

Oxfordshire event manager Becky Ryczowski said: “Although 1,171 women took part at our event in Banbury in July, entries were lower than anticipated.

“Taking the costs of staging the event into consideration, we have had to take the difficult decision to cancel it for 2012.

“We are very grateful to our participants, and their supporters, who took part in the event this year and in the past.”

She added: “We want to express our heart-felt thanks to everyone who has taken part in Race for Life in Banbury and we hope our supporters will understand the reason for this difficult decision for 2012.”

An event was also held this year in Oxford’s University Parks, combining two held in the city. No details have been announced of next year’s county events.