MORE than 300 Santa Clauses came to town on Saturday as Calne Leisure Centre hosted its annual festive fun run.

The eighth Santa's Scamper attracted its biggest crowd yet as around £2,600 was raised for Wiltshire Air Ambulance, Dorothy House and Hannah's Trees.

The runners zoomed around the town on a 4.5km circuit, starting and finishing at the leisure centre.

Mike Stuart, who organised the run and dressed in a green elf costume, said: "This is by far the best and biggest Santa's Scamper we have done. I also think the Santa's Scamper is my favourite event of all the ones we run throughout the year.

"With all the Christmas music playing and everyone looking a bit silly in their costumes it is just so much fun.

"There's a real feel-good factor around the run. Everyone says Christmas starts with Santa's Scamper.

"It's always so nice to see loads of people come out to support our charities, especially Hannah's Trees which is very close to us. It may not be the biggest charity but it is very important."

"We'd also like to thank the MD Group for their sponsorship and Tesco Express for providing food for our after party."

Runners started at Calne Leisure Centre before running down the A4 into the town centre and completing the circuit back to the start.

All finishers were presented with a decorated medal to crown their achievement as well as being given the striking Santa costume on the day.

Almost six months of organisation goes into each Santa's Scamper and there are already plans to run the ninth one next year.