Dial-a-Ride aims to break the record now held by the Portuguese

Newtown and district Dial-a-Ride - which organises transport for elderly and disabled people - is hoping that around 3,000 men, women and children be involved in the fundraising Santa Run on 7 December.

The current world record is 2,627 Santas who gathered in Porto, Portugal on 24 December 2001.

"The Santa Run has been a huge success with �100,000 raised in two years for more than 200 charities," said Dougie Bancroft, Dial-a-Ride's manager

"We are now being contacted by people from all over the world who want to take part and we think that about 3,000 people could be involved this year."

Although the number of runners is restricted to 2,000, there will also be a mini Santa run for 500 children on the same day, and the record will be broken if others who have come to watch the event are dressed as Santa Claus.

The Guinness Book of Record stipulates that those attempting the record must wear a red Santa costume with matching hats, fake white beards and black belts.

In 2002, more than 1,000 people completed the 4.5 mile course.

Set up in 1991, Dial-a-Ride makes more than 14,000 journeys a year - delivering thousands of meals-on-wheels as well as transporting wheelchair users.

It receives �6,325 a year in funding from Powys County Council and relies heavily on donations to cover running costs.