Five hundred Santas took part in the first run in 2001

The Newtown race, which has seen hundreds of Santas run around the streets of Newtown every December since 2001, has been cancelled for a year.

But supporters of Hope House, which has hospices in Conwy and Shropshire, has decided to set up its own run.

The Hope House run will take place on 3 December in Oswestry, Shropshire.

The 4.5 mile (7.2km) run in Newtown set a world record in 2004 when 4,260 racers dressed as Santa Claus competed, but a new record was set in Liverpool last year.

Last month Dial-a-Ride, the charity behind the event, said it wanted to focus on its transport service this year instead of the run.

It intends to bring the race back to the town in December 2007.

Fight flared

The event has benefited 900 different charities and raised �350,000, but attracted unwelcome headlines in 2004 when a fight flared eight hours after the event and five men were fined.

Hope House, whose supporters have competed in the Newtown run in the past, said it wanted to break the world record for the most runners dressed as Santa.

Charity appeals director Nuala O'Kane said: "We were due to be one of the Newtown Santa run's nominated charities for this year and many of our supporters were really looking forward to taking part, so when we heard it was cancelled we decided to come to the rescue and hold our own event.

"Every entrant will be given a Santa suit to run in and we are planning a number of added attractions to the day to make it a really special event."

Those interested in taking part in the Hope House Santa run can contact the charity on 01691 671671