Hundreds of Santas to run through Louth

Liverpool claims to have held the UK's first Santa Dash in 2004

Hundreds of people dressed as Santa are expected to run through the streets of a Lincolnshire town in December.

The Santa Run for Life, raising money for Cancer Research UK, will begin in Louth market place on Sunday 8 December at 11:00 GMT.

Festive runners will complete a 2km (1.25 mile) or 4km (2.5 mile) fun run.

Chairman of Louth Run for Life, Simon West, said the event was about "having a bit of fun whilst raising money for a really good cause".

More than 2,000 people took part in a Santa Dash in Lincoln in 2014

The event has been organised by Louth Rotary and Louth Run for Life, which has raised over £750,000 for Cancer Research UK through its annual event.

Mr West said: "These events have grown from strength to strength and we now have so much support from the community in Louth.

"We're hoping to get as many Santas in the town centre as possible. It will be a sea of red throughout Louth."

The run will start and finish in Louth Market Place, with the route taking runners through the town centre and around St James' Church.

Mr West said the event would raise funds for an important cause.

"Cancer Research is close to everyone's heart. One in two of us will be affected, so it's important," he said.

"We're hoping it will also be a great community event and get everyone in the Christmas spirit. It will be quite the spectacle."