DASHING through Banbury and laughing all the way, hundreds of people dressed as Father Christmas for the town’s annual Santa Fun Run.

The event, now in its fourth year, took place at Spiceball Park yesterday and 520 people took part.

After warming up to Christmas music, the competitors ran or walked the 4km course to raise money for Katharine House Hospice in Adderbury.

Community fundraiser Nicky Hanson said £22,000 was pledged on the day, and the event was the most successful ever for the charity.

She said: “It was just astonishing. We had a record number of Santas and a record amount pledged.”

About 480 people took part in last year’s Santa Fun Run, which raised £17,000 for the hospice.