He's more used to travelling by sleigh and all those mince pies and sherry don't exactly constitute an athlete's diet.

But don't be fooled. More than a hundred Santas turned up to race in a 1km dash through Gravesend in aid of the Stacey Mowle appeal on Saturday - proving Father Christmas can shift even when not behind the reins of Rudolf and co.

Jacquii Alexander-Smith from the Stacey Mowl Appeal said one of the stand out sights was the Mayor of Gravesham, Cllr John Caller, in an "elf skirt".

"The mayor was brilliant," she said. "He had a bright red T-shirt, a Santa hat and a little elf skirt.

"It was a brilliant day. It was really incredible the amount of people that turned up. There was every age group - kids in wheelchairs, the older generation as well.

"It was brilliant to see the whole community coming together."

The official total is not known but she expected the event had raised a lot for the appeal - which is aiming to get life-saving treatment for eight year old cancer sufferer Stacey Mowle.

Gravesham Council helped organise the event.