A NIGHT-time walk to raise a major sum of cash for Manorlands hospice will return with an exciting new twist this year.

The 2015 Starlight Hike, which takes place on September 26, will feature the ‘Starlight Express’.

Participants will begin the evening at around 6.30pm at the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway’s (K&WVR) Oxenhope Railway Station, where there will be music, stalls, entertainment and a warm up.

They will then board the Starlight Express – one of the railway’s steam trains specially re-named for the night – and travel to Oakworth Station where they will disembark to begin the 10km walk.

The first of two trains will leave Oxenhope at 7.45pm, before returning to collect the second group of participants for their journey.

Walkers will follow a safe, marshalled route through Oakworth and Haworth, then back towards Oxenhope.

The route also takes in the Starlight Avenue within the grounds of Manorlands, where walkers can hang a dedication star to celebrate the life of loved ones.

After crossing the finish line, hikers will be rewarded with a goody bag and hot sandwich.

Registration is now open for individuals and teams. Until the end of July, the hospice is offering potential walkers the opportunity to register for just £12, reduced from the normal £18 rate.

Sponsorship money raised will go towards the continuing specialist care of patients and their families at the hospice.

Mark Moorhead, special events director at the K&WVR, said: “We are very proud and honoured to be part of the Manorlands Starlight Hike.

“Over the years many of the railway’s volunteers have benefited from the crucial services the hospice provides, and the railway is only too happy to give something back to this wonderful and deserving cause.”

Hayley Ibbotson, senior fundraiser and event organiser at Manorlands, said: “We’re really excited about the new element of the Starlight Express and have had some great feedback about the idea.

“The Starlight Hike is a fantastic way of getting family, friends and colleagues together to raise funds for the hospice, and we hope lots of people from the local community will get together and support the event once again.

“I’d like to thank everyone at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway for very generously providing all of their services to us on the night completely free of charge.”