The final countdown has begun for the fourth annual Monmouth Santa Fun Run in aid of local charities.

Preparations are well underway for the festive family event, which starts on the Monnow Bridge at 10am on Sunday 4th December.

"We have already had lots of postal entries," said race director Laurence Moore, "and we are expecting over three hundred to take part this year."

Organised by the Spirit of Monmouth Running Club, the Monmouth Santa Fun Run is the shortest in the UK at only 1.3 miles and is aimed at runners of all abilities and ages.

Fancy dress is encouraged and in previous years runners have dressed up as reindeers, elves and even Christmas trees, as well as the traditional red Santa.

All finishers receive a medal and there are special prizes for the fastest male, female, under-16s and also the best fancy dress costumes.

The event raised more than £2,000 last year and this year's proceeds will be donated to The Attik, Monmouth's drop-in centre providing education, advice and counselling services for young people aged 16-25, and The Army Benevolent Fund, the charity that provides help and financial assistance to soldiers, veterans and their families.

Monnow Street will be closed for the race between 10am and 10.30am on Sunday morning as hundreds of Santas make their way from the old Monnow Bridge over to Vauxhall Fields.

If you have not already entered, you can enter on the day or bring along a completed form which are available from spiritofmonmouth.co.uk

Entry fees are £5 for children and £10 for adults, all proceeds going to the charities.

The organisers have advised runners to allow plenty of time for registration as once again this year the warm up before the race starts at 9.45am sharp.