Just over a week after appealing for a waddle' partner for this year's Race for Life, pregnant Amy Beatty has landed a sidekick - and a spot on the radio.

The 21-year-old mum-of-one from Witney will be eight months' pregnant when she takes part in the event on Sunday, June 8, at University Parks, Oxford.

She used the Oxford Mail to ask for someone to walk with - and up stepped BBC Oxford presenter Jo Thoenes, 34.

Jo, who presents the afternoon show said: "This will be my fourth Race for Life and when I heard Amy was looking for someone to do it with, I thought I'd like to do that!

"Amy sounds plucky and fun - although I have no experience of midwifery. I have told her that if she goes into labour she'll probably see me sprint off in fright!"

Mrs Beatty said: "I'm really pleased Jo will be walking with me. She's even invited me on to her show beforehand - which I'm pretty nervous about. But who knows, maybe people will give me more sponsorship if I'm a little famous!"

Race for Life is the UK's largest women-only fundraising event and demand for places is so high in Oxford that organisers Cancer Research UK increased the number of races from two to three in 2007.

Last year, an estimated 8,000 women took part.

This year, Cancer Research UK wants to sign up 9,500 women and raise £620,000 in sponsorship - every pound of which will go directly to the scientists, doctors and nurses working to find new treatments at the Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre at the Churchill and John Radcliffe Hospitals.

Mrs Beatty said: "Last year I did the race eight weeks after giving birth to my daughter Siobhan, and this year I'll walk the course with my new little girl still in my tummy.

"It will probably be tough, but I really want to take part and raise some money for Cancer Research UK, which is a great charity.

"I'll be met over the finish line by Siobhan and my husband Paraic. And I'm already taking advantage of being pregnant by asking people to sponsor me double the amount!"