Snow isn’t forecast but plenty of laughter is when the annual Santa Fun Run in Gloucester takes place on Saturday.

More than 400 people – all dressed as Father Christmas – are expected to run, jog or walk through the streets of the city while at the same time raising money for very good causes.

The fun starts at 10am in Kings Square with registration on the day available from 9.30am.

The event, which is organised by the Rotary Club of Gloucester, has been running since 2017 and at the time of writing more than 420 people had signed up for this year’s spectacular.

And it has become a spectacular event, with organiser Matt Cass telling The Local Answer: “It’s brilliant to see all these people dressed as Father Christmas running around Gloucester.

“I’m hoping that we’ll get over 450 people this year, that would be fantastic. That would be about 150 more than last year and would mean we’re growing year on year.

“We’ve already raised about £3,000 this year.”

The majority of those taking part will complete a 5K route which will finish in Kings Square.

But for those who prefer a shorter distance there is also a 1K route option with Matt, a Gloucester businessman, adding: “The Santa Fun Run is not a race, it’s about taking part. It’s open to anyone – adults, children, families, wheelchair users.

“We had someone on crutches do the 1K last year.

“All sorts of people take part. This year quite a few parkrunners have entered, I’m going to have slow them down as they’re too fast for our pacemaker!"

All the money raised will be used to support charities and community-based events and Matt, who is a member of the Rotary Club of Gloucester, continued: “The Santa Fun Run is the start of the Christmas season in Gloucester.”

And Matt is very optimistic that this is an event that will run and run for many years to come.

“The aim is to eventually have 1,000 people dressed as Father Christmas filling Kings Square, that would be amazing,” he said.

“If we got that many we’d raise £10,000.”

Those people registering on Saturday are asked to bring debit or credit cards.

The registration fee is £6 for adults and £4 for under-16s, while teams of four can pay £20. Blue badge holders and wheelchair users can take part for free.