THIS year’s Manchester Midnight Walk was a poignant and emotional occasion for Flixton’s Maureen Halliday.

Husband Alan, a diesel mechanic, died of kidney cancer last August less than three months after he retired on his 70th birthday.

Maureen was joined by daughter Tracey, from Sale, on the 10k walk as a thank you to St Ann's Hospice where Alan was a patient for more than three weeks.

They joined more than 1,500 other walkers marching at the 10th anniversary of St Ann's Hospice Manchester Midnight Walk on Friday June 24.

Maureen, who had been married for 47 years, said: "It's a difficult night for us but we want to remember Alan and show our support for St Ann's Hospice. They were marvellous the way they looked after him."

St Ann's is hoping to raise around £180,000 from the event, bringing the total amount of donations since the walk began in 2007 to £1.8m.