A CONTINGENT of more than 20 Santas from Mount House School – children accompanied by some members of staff — took part in, and successfully completed, the first Charity Santa Fun Run organised by the Rotary Club of Saltram in Plymouth City Centre.

They were among some 500 Santas who joined in the run to raise funds for Children's Hospice South West, Diabetes UK, and local Rotary Children's charities.

The Fun Run was started by Jenny Waldron of BBC Spotlight at the top of Cornwall Street, outside the entrance to Drake Circus. It then followed a circular course through Cornwall Street, New George Street, Armada Way and through the Mall, finishing in Frankfurt Gate.

Since it was founded in 1984, the Rotary Club of Saltram has raised many thousands of pounds for local, national and international charities and good causes. This is the first Charity Santa Fun Run which the club has organised and they hope that it will become an established feature of the festive activities Plymouth.

This year's the event was supported by the Plymouth City Centre Company, as part of their West End Christmas Carnival.