A determined cancer survivor and her 10-year-old daughter launched the Race for Life in Edinburgh on Sunday.

Laura Ross, 46, along with daughter Sally sounded the airhorn for 2000 women to race around Holyrood Park in the annual 5K and 10K event.

Across the country, almost 5000 women were taking part in events.

In Edinburgh, it was a special day for Laura who has fought her way back to fitness since being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016.

Those gathered in support of Race For Life also heard Laura read one of the funny poems she wrote for her daughter Sally.

Laura took inspiration from Sally's favourite Disney film Zootropolis when she was trying to work out how best to tell her daughter that she had breast cancer.

The poem explains that although Laura had a cancerous tumour, it was slow moving, just like the Zootropolis character Flash, a sloth.

Laura, a bank worker from Bathgate, said: "It's been an amazing experience for us to be here as VIP guests. It was very fitting that Sally sounded the airhorn too as it's not just the person with cancer who has to go through it - it's their whole family.

"I'm so proud of Sally and how she has dealt with everything. She will always be my VIP but Race For Life Edinburgh has been an amazing opportunity for her to see just how special she is.

"The outlook for people with cancer is much more positive compared to 40 years ago and that's down to earlier diagnosis and treatments. For that, as a cancer survivor, I'm very grateful."

After sounding the airhorn, Sally and Laura joined the throng and took on the hilly 5K course around Arthur's Seat.

Race for Life spokeswoman, Linda Summerhayes, said: "We'd like to thank our VIP starters Laura and Sally, and everyone who came along to make Race for Life Edinburgh so special.

"Sadly, most of us know someone whose life has been touched by cancer.

"But thanks to the huge progress that has been made in the fight against the disease, more people in Scotland are surviving cancer than ever before.

"Our aim is that one day everyone will beat cancer. The more research we can fund, the sooner that day will come."