IT’S that time of year again. Hundreds of Santas will take to Winchester streets and sweat off their mince pies all in the name of charity.

The Winchester Santa Fun Run is organised by Naomi House and invites everyone to sign up and fill the streets with red suited, black booted Christmas cheer.

Participants are asked to arrive and register outside O’Neill’s pub on Sunday, December 8 at 09.30am, where they will be given a Santa suit.

A warm-up will be held by Winchester Spirits Cheerleaders and a face painting table in O’Neill’s will offer festive makeovers.

The race starts at 10.30am by the Winchester Mayor Ernie Jeffs and runners will receive a medal after completing the five-kilometre run.

Now in its fifth year, Naomi House hopes this will be their biggest event yet, and expect over 250 runners on the day.

Keith Wilson, spokesman for the Sutton-Scotney-based hospice said: “The number of people choosing to sign up this year is phenomenal. We can’t wait for the day itself and are looking forward to seeing Santa’s running through the streets and raising money to support our work at Christmas.”