The Santa race has taken place in Newtown since 2001

However, they will meet police to discuss security for the run in Newtown, Powys in December.

Trouble flared eight hours after the 2004 run - five men were recently fined for public order offences.

None of the men took part in the race, but police said some troublemakers were dressed in Santa outfits.

Officers used CS spray and batons to break up trouble among up to 30 people, following the annual run on 5 December.

There were five arrests hours after around 4,000 Santas finished racing.

It's up to people to represent themselves properly Jo Corfield, Newtown Santa Run

Four officers suffered minor injuries during the scuffle and a total of eight were used to quell the disturbance, said police.

The race, staged every year, attracts thousands of fund raising runners.

The bad publicity has not deterred Dial-a-Ride, the run's organisers. They said as far as they were concerned last year's problems had nothing to do with the event.

However, Dial-a-Ride has agreed to meet with police ahead of this year's race.

Dial-a-Ride spokeswoman Jo Corfield said: "We're waiting for the police to get back to us, but we will be holding talks with them.

"As for last year, the people involved in the fighting in December did not take part in last year's Santa Run. "They were not registered as runners.

Charities

"The fight happened eight hours after the race and had nothing to do with the Santa Run."

She added: "We can't be responsible for everyone - it's up to people to represent themselves properly. We promote the run as a family event."

Runners have previously raised �80,000 for about 200 charities.