An unprecedented number of villagers dressed as Santa this year to dash through the streets of Saddleworth to raise a record amount for charity.

Santa Dash is Saddleworth's most anticipated event in the festive calendar with residents getting into the Christmas spirit to raise money for local charities and good causes. 

The race, which is put on every year by the Saddleworth Round Table, has grown exponentially in the last eight years, going from just 80 people completing the 2km or 5km to a whopping 1,500 this year.

Now, it has been revealed the final figure raised was more than £15,000.

Saddleworth Round Table chairman, John Arthurs, said: "This is an absolutely fantastic amount and just shows the continued dedication of the residents of Saddleworth and surrounding areas to get right behind good causes.

"Santa Dash has now grown into an event which transcends our corner of the world and only continues to grow, with runners totalling in excess of 1,500 which smashes previous records."

The chairman extended his thanks to the "dedication" of the Round Table members who make events like this possible as well as the "community we reside in and the volunteers who give up their time and patient Uppermill and Greenfield residents".

Elliot Eastwick, the longstanding Santa Dash DJ and entertainer, was also thanked for his dedication to the event as were the vendors and stalls which "make the markets on the park a success", John said.

The impressive sum will now be distributed to local good causes and charities in Saddleworth on a case-by-case basis.

John added: "We welcome anyone with a proposal that needs funding to contact us to see how we can help."