Hundreds of people took part in a moving ceremony at Pewsey on Saturday night to remember relatives and friends who have died of cancer and also those who have survived the disease.

The Candle of Hope ceremony held at 10pm on Saturday was part of the 24 hour Relay for Life in aid of Cancer Research UK held in the Coopers Arms field. The Relay for Life is a new event in the UK having originated in the USA. Similar round the clock relays have been taking place all across the country.

Pewsey's event was organised by Katie Day and Marie Hattersley. Marlborough already staged an annual Race for Life so the pair decided to organise a relay for Life.

On Saturday and Sunday ten teams, including Pewsey firefighters and Devizes Army Cadets, took it in turns to walk around the clock on a circuit laid out behind the Coopers Arms.

During the day on Saturday people who had lost relatives with cancer or who wished to celebrate a loved one beating the disease were invited to write messages on paper bags.

There were also many messages from people who had themselves fought and beaten cancer or had relatives who had won their fights with cancer.

One of the messages was from Kaz Gray from Pewsey. Kaz, now 18, was just nine when doctors discovered she had a brain tumour. It was only when she was 16 and the tumour began to grow that doctors decided to treat it with chemotherapy.

Another survivor was Anne Mabbutt, 63, from Pewsey who is in remission following successful treatment for bowel and liver cancer.

They both took part in Saturday night's candle of hope ceremony. Hundreds of people who had been watching the relay joined in a special lap in complete silence.

The circuit was lined with about 130 bags illuminated with candles so that the poignant messages could be read.

The reading of poems with special messages followed including a poem by Kaz Gray called The Angel that was read by Pete Bond.

The final verse of her poem read: I'll be the angel watching over you, The one who really cares, I'll be the one to guide you through, The one who's always there."

Organisers will not know how much money was raised until sponsorship from the teams is received.