MORE than 130 Santas took to the streets of Dorchester to raise money for Weldmar Hospicecare Trust.

The jolly runners were decked out in full Father Christmas regalia including red suits, hats, white fluffy beards and sacks to collect presents on the way round.

Can you spot yourself in our online picture gallery from the Santa Run? Click here.

Runners raced round the two-mile county town route as the sun shone down this morning.

The fun-filled route saw Santas having to fill their sacks with presents at four pit stops en route, including candy canes, toys and oranges.

While the Santas raced round, supporters enjoyed the Christmas Market, held in the ground of the Joseph Weld Hospice. There were stalls to delight old and young and everyone was in a festive spirit as carols were spontaneously sung by stallholders.

Everything from jams, mulled wine, cuddly toys, sweets, books and DVDs were on sale and hundreds of people came through the gates throughout the day.

Richard Baker, from Dorchester, took part in the Santa Run with children Joe, 12, and Sophie, 9. They said it was a great event to be part of.

The Rollett and Sneller families from Dorchester came to join in the fun.

Eleanor Rollett said: “It's nice to have an event the whole family can do and it's good to raise money for Weldmar.”

All the Santas did a huge wave at the starting line before a countdown. Weldmar's car park was turned into a sea of bobbing red and white hats as the racers dashed across the line.

First Santa back was 36-year-old Peter Sammons, from Salisbury, he said: “The most important thing is it's for a great cause. It means a lot to me and my friends.”

He added: “It's nice it's such a lovely day as well.”

Second Santa home was Fin Cruse-Drew, 16, from Poole, he said he really enjoyed the race and hadn't expected to cross the line second.

He said: “I think it's a great cause. They are helping out people. It's good to support that sort of thing.”

Weldmar events fundraiser Matt Smith said this year had seen the largest number of people entering the race.

He said: “I think we had probably 130 Santas race. I reckon it's the best year yet. We normally get about 100.”

He said this was the first year they had done the Santa run and the Christmas Market together and it had gone really well and the weather had been fantastic.

In previous years the event has raised around £8,000 and this year the charity is hoping that they will make £10,000.

Mr Smith thanked all those who had taken part and helped fundraise for Weldmar. He said: “As always with our events, we can't thank people enough for their support. It's these people that keep the hospice going.”

He added: “It's nice that people want to support it. It's good that people feel strongly about the charity.”