MORE than 100 Father Christmases descended on Calne town centre on Saturday as a host of runners took part in Calne Leisure Centre’s third annual Santa’s Scamper.

Some 150 people donned red trousers and jackets, Santa hats and white beards before gathering outside the leisure centre for Calne town crier Mark Wylie and his junior crier, son Harrison, to get them underway.

As well as the public runners, leisure centre staff, dressed as reindeer and elves, got involved, handing out sweets and treats along the route.

Volunteer marshalls also got into the festive spirit dressing up in a variety of Christmas costumes including snowmen and Christmas puddings. Runners travelled from the leisure centre, along the A4, through the town centre, looping around Phelps Parade before returning to the start.

Luke Shipway, event director, said: “It went really well, there was a fabulous atmosphere and people loved it.

“We had Christmas music and all through the town there were people lining the streets cheering and clapping. It ran fantastically.”

Around £600 was raised, which will be shared between Hannah’s Trees and Barnardo’s Calne Children’s Centre.

Hannah’s Trees was set up in 2009 to celebrate the life Hannah Owen by raising money to pay for Christmas trees and decorations to be placed in every child and family room at the Helen and Douglas House Hospice for children.

The charity aims to ensure every child and young adult with a life-limiting or terminal illness can experience the magic of Christmas, as Hannah did.

The Calne Children’s Centre provides advice, information and support for all families with children under five.