More than 1,500 women stepped out in style last night to make the 2014 Girls Night Out walk the biggest and best ever.

As dusk fell, Angel Hill was lit up by a sea of flashing bunny ears as the pyjama-clad participants gathered in their hundreds for the event which boosts the coffers of St Nicholas Hospice Care.

They could choose to trek either six or 11.2 miles around the town, with £150,000 in sponsorship money pledged on the night.

The walkers enjoyed a mild and clear evening, with temperatures remaining around 14c.

The evening was filled with laughter and camaraderie, alongside more tender moments in which walkers remembered loved ones at the memory wall on Angel Hill and at the hospice.

This year was the sixth Girls Night Out walk and with 1,500 participants, it smashed all previous records.

Jenny Baskett, hospice events and challenges fundraiser, said: “Thank you to everyone who has taken part in Girls Night Out and made it such a huge success.

“Last year, 1,000 women walked for the hospice, so to have 1,500 women all taking part and supporting the us this year is overwhelming. The support is just amazing.”