KIDDERMINSTER was briefly taken over by an army of Father Christmas’s who came through the town to help raise £22,000 for Kemp Hospice.

Kemp’s Santa Fun Run took place on Sunday when about 400 participants ran from Brinton Park and back along the canal towpath.

The charity’s events fundraiser, Kate Wilkinson, said the figure of £22,000 raised was the run’s “best ever total” beating last year’s by nearly £5,000.

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier counted down from the start and saw Santas of all ages back through the finish line in under two hours.

Ms Wilkinson said: “It was a brilliant day, there was a fantastic atmosphere and all the supporters were really energetic.

“Everyone looked brilliant and there was some people who had customised their outfit, some had put their names on the back of their Santa suits and they all joined together to dance to a Christmas song during the warm up - which was quite a sight.

“I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part, all the runners and marshalls who came on a cold Sunday morning, it makes a big difference to our patients and their families.”

Laura Warrington, who took part with fellow workers from Victoria Carpets in memory of colleague Chris Hirst, said: “It was really successful and we all finished.

“We think we raised nearly £1,000 which is really good. A lot of people were motivated because we were thinking of Chris and trying to have as much as we could while running it.

“Our [Chris Hirst] t-shirts created a lot of attention so it was a nice way for us to remember him.

TO VIEW A GALLERY OF PICTURES FROM THE EVENT CLICK HERE. Photos by Colin Hill.