ONE of the stars of daytime chat show Loose Women has pledged her support to this year’s St Helena Hospice Midnight Walk, on June 4.

Zoe Tyler, from Kelvedon, is urging women to sign up to help smash last year’s total of £200,000, to help continue the Colchester-based hospice’s work.

Ms Tyler, a vocal coach who has appeared in a number of West End musicals, is a regular panelist on the top-rating ITV lunchtime show.

She is backing the Midnight Walk following the experience of a close family friend.

Ms Tyler said: “I think hospices are amazing places. The staff who work there are angels, very special people.

“We lost a dear friend of the family and she was in a really bad place, but the hospice she went to just made things so much easier for her.”

She said of the walk: “It is just a really girlie night. Women are great when they get together and I am sure they don’t stop talking all the way round.”

The walk, which is just over seven miles, takes a circular route from the Weston Homes Stadium, where it also finishes. Organisers hope at least 2,000 women will once again take on the challenge, for what is the third annual event.

Ms Tyler is originally from the Midlands, but said she fell in love with north Essex while visiting friends when she was living and working in London.

She said: “I just knew it was where I would want to raise a family and I fell in love with it. I still love it here.”

More than 500 women have already registered.

Men have been invited to volunteer as stewards. To sign up, go to www.colchester midnightwalk.co.uk or call 01206 791740.