A group of 1,000 Santas took to the streets in mid Wales in what is believed to be Europe's only Santa fun run.

Despite the near-freezing conditions, the second annual Santa Run saw the participants - who all have to dress in Santa suits - run or walk the four and a half mile route through Newtown in Powys to raise money for charity.

The event is organised by the Newtown Dial a Ride, a community organisation which provides transport services in the area.

'Santa Kong' raced for charity last year

Half of the sponsorship money raised by the event goes to the service, with the other half donated to charities chosen by the individual runners.

Last year, 500 runners raised over �35,000, which was shared between 80 local and national charities.

The only two conditions of the race are that participants complete the course in their Santa outfit within three hours.

However, this year's course was slightly altered, taking in five pubs en route where it was compulsory for runners to stop - not for a drink but because they served as checkpoints.

For a �10 registration fee, the organisers provided each runner with a suit, and dispensed hot drinks and food.

Each runner received a medal, an official Santa Run t-shirt, certificate and silver blanket to ward off the cold.

Journeys

Two of the competitors were used to being matched against one another, although usually in verbal form.

Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik and Conservative AM Glyn Davies completed the route, with Mr Davies very pleased to beat his political opponent across the line.

"I could see them falling behind at the beginning and they were falling further and further behind - it's a really good omen for the next election," said Mr Davies.

Another competitor said it was easier to run in the Santa suit than to hold a serious conversation while dressed in it.

Weathergirl Sian Lloyd was present to start the race, but even she could not bring some sunshine to warm the runners on the route.

Already, 300 runners have signed up for next year's event.