A procession of tractors decked out in festive lights toured a Kent village last night in what is set to be an annual yuletide event.

More than 50 vehicles, including 40 tractors, three articulated lorries, two vans and a vintage fire engine paraded through Grain, Upper and Lower Stoke, High Halstow and Hoo.

The Hoo Peninsular Christmas Tractor Run has already raised more than £5,400, smashing its £1,500 target, for homeless charity Gillingham Street Angels and donations are still coming in.

Dean Papin, from Stoke Airfield, organised the event alongside KCee Mortley, Luke Challinger and Jon Maynard.

He said: “We are going to go bigger and better next year and hopefully finish in Rochester High Street. It has been a huge success.”

Michael Pearce, Independent councillor for Hoo and High Halstow ward, watched the parade.

“What a great way to celebrate Christmas and our strong rural community with a fabulous and festive tractor run,” he said.

“Thank you to the organisers and volunteers for putting on such a fantastic show and thank you to the community for raising thousands for such an important local charity."

Rochester and Strood MP Kelly Tolhurst echoed the praise for the event.

“It really was a fantastic event for a great cause and so wonderful to celebrate our countryside and farming on our Hoo peninsula.

“They did an amazing job.”

Jo Warman, from Hoo, took her 13-year-old son and 10-year-old disabled daughter to see the display.

“It brought smiles to both my kids and me tonight,” she said. “And trust me when I say my daughter doesn’t smile a lot.

“But she laughed and smiled and was so excited.

“Thank you so much, I never thought I could be so appreciative about some tractors but I am and can’t wait for next year.”