Thousands of people around the country are preparing to take to the streets in the early hours of Saturday morning in aid of suicide prevention.

The annual Darkness into Light (DIL) fundraiser will get underway from 4.15am, and will see 120,000 participants cross the finish line as dawn breaks.

Phoenix Park in Dublin and 110 other venues around Ireland and abroad will host walkers and runners.

Darkness Into Light is the flagship fundraiser for suicide and self-harm charity Pieta House, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year.

Last year's event attracted over 100,000 participants in over 80 locations.

Joan Freeman, founder of Pieta House, at the launch of Darkness into Light 2016 | Image: Photocall Ireland

As well as every province in Ireland, events are taking place in England, Scotland, Iceland, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Abu Dhabi and the US.

Organisers say registration figures are currently far greater than last year - and Pieta House is expecting numbers to exceed the goal of 120,000 participants.

Founder Joan Freeman is encouraging all those taking part to enjoy the occasion, and to come early to soak in the atmosphere.

Further details can be found here