AS the clock struck midnight, the heavens opened, and more than 600 ladies and specially nominated male walkers took part in a charity walk.

They set off from Aylesbury College for the fifth Gemstone Midnight Walk in aid of the Florence Nightingale Hospice Charity on Saturday.

Early indications show £45,000 being pledged on the night with money still to come in.

Wet-eared walkers walked the six or 13 mile challenge across Aylesbury. For more information visit www.gemstonewalk.co.uk or www.fnhospice.org.uk