ALL the colours of the rainbow lit up the streets of Southend as walkers stepped out in their brightest clothes to take part in a sponsored walk.

The 2014 Moonlight Colourthon attracted thousands of people, walking one of three distances, in a bid to hit the £1million mark for charities.

Walkers trod 13.1miles into the dark for the flagship event, which left Chalkwell Park on Saturday, at 8pm.

The route took walkers through Westcliff, Leigh and along Southend seafront.

Younger fundraisers took part in the Sunlight Colourthon around Chalkwell Park during the day, while the Twilight Colourthon took walkers on a 10km route from Chalkwell Park.

The event, organised by Southend Round Table, has raised more than £875,000 for charities in the past seven years.

It is hoped this weekend’s event will take it past the £1million milestone with a 25 per cent increase in participants.