GALLERY: Sliderider at Colchester's North Hill - can you spot yourself?

Hundreds of spectators lined the Sliderider to watch friends and family speed down one of Colchester’s busiest roads on top of a rubber ring.

The joint venture between the national charity and Colchester Council, cost thrill-seekers £15 for two goes and is set to raise £45,000 for young people affected by the disease.

The council’s chief executive Adrian Pritchard was first to take to the water. As well as paying his entry fee he also championed the mayor’s charities –- a group of six organisations including Colchester and Tendring National Deaf Children’s Society Group and Stepping Stones Play and Learn Nursery.

Mother and daughter, Natasha Ferrier, 34, and Paige, 17 took on the challenge together and were caught up in a mini flood at the bottom of the pool.

Miss Ferrier said: “It was such an adrenaline rush. I kept spinning round and round on the slide but the fact it was for charity made it worthwhile.”

They were also joined by 24-year-old Lana Wright, a nursery nurse, from Braintree.

She said: “The sheer excitement of going down North Hill made me sign up, it’s not something which happens very often and was absolutely amazing.”

With 200 spaces available on the day, friends Skie Nelson and Millie Daldry, both 13, decided to face their fears and have a go.

Miss Nelson said: "We were both a little nervous. I was worried it might break, but we did it together and all the money goes to Cancer Research."

Gemma Turpin, event manager at CRUK, said: “This event is new and people are having fun, but at the same time raising money for CRUK kids and teens. It’s absolutely incredible to think people from Colchester and probably further afield are making our £45,000 target happen by just attending and want to beat cancer sooner.

“Sliderider couldn’t have happened without the help of our volunteers so I’d also like to say a massive thank you to them.”

A spokesperson for Colchester Council added: "Everyone appeared to enjoy themselves and the weather was much better than we anticipated so we're excited to find out the grand total of what was raised for Cancer Research UK."