Hundreds of tractors to take part in festive parade

The Archers Tractor Run has become a popular annual event in south Leicestershire

About 300 decorated tractors are set to take part in a festive parade through Leicestershire.

The annual Archers Festive Tractor run will return for the fifth time on Sunday.

The convoy will set off from Lutterworth at 16:30 GMT and pass through villages such as Countesthorpe and Whetstone before returning to the starting point.

Organiser Ryan Archer, from Blaby, said the event would raise money for both LOROS and the Leicestershire MS Therapy Centre.

Mr Archer started the event to "bring a bit of light to everybody's doorstep"

The 44-year-old was diagnosed with thyroid cancer 10 years ago and attends the centre twice a week for oxygen.

"It's nice to actually give something back for what you're taking," he said.

The tractor runs have raised about £150,000 for causes based in Leicestershire over the last four years.

"Charities stay in touch and come back to us and say what that money's actually done, that's a bit heartwarming," Mr Archer said.

Reflecting on why he started the tractor runs, he said he wanted to "bring a bit of festivity" and "a bit of light to everybody's doorstep".

"I think it was well received and we've grown from there," he said.

"This time of year I always think it's challenging for everybody.

"Everyone wants to stay at home. What I feel with this is it actually brings people out.

"When you go through some of the villages and you see people shoulder to shoulder on the streets, you don't see that very often nowadays and I think that really helps everybody."