IT’S that time of year again, as 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 children’s hospice.

Participants are asked to arrive and register outside O’Neill’s pub on Sunday, December 8, at 9.30am, 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 be offering festive makeovers.

The race will be started at 10.30am by Winchester mayor Cllr Ernie Jeffs, and runners will receive a medal after completing the 5km run.

Naomi House hopes this will be its biggest event yet, and expects more than 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 Santas running through the streets and raising money to support our work at Christmas.”