A "lower than expected" number of entries has forced organisers to cancel a charity race where entrants get covered in mud.

Cancer Research UK's Hammersmith Race for Life "Pretty Muddy" 5km run has been cancelled.

The fundraising event - a 5km obstacle course involving a lot of mud - was due to take place on Wednesday September 2 in Wormwood Scrubs Park.

After the success of Wormwood Scrubs' "Pretty Muddy" event in June, organisers set up the second race in September, which has now been called off due to a low volume of applications.

Event manager for Cancer Research UK London, Fiona Murray, said: "Race for Life raises money to fund life-saving research.

"So we owe it to our participants and supporters to ensure that we raise as much money as possible in the most cost-efficient way.

"Although 2,100 women took part at our event in Hammersmith in June, entries for our September event were lower than anticipated.

"Taking the costs of staging the event into consideration, we have had to take the difficult decision not to run it for a second time.

"We want to express our heart-felt thanks to everyone who has taken part in Race for Life this year and we hope our supporters will understand the reason for this difficult decision."

For more information about alternative Cancer Research UK Race for Life events visit the official website.