The annual spectacle of hundreds of Santa Clauses running through Monmouth is nearly here again.

Preparations are well underway for the fifth Monmouth Santa Fun Run in aid of local charities. The festive family event starts on the Monnow Bridge at 10am on Sunday 2nd December.

"The Santa Fun Run has become a firm favourite in the Monmouth calendar leading up to Christmas," said race director Laurence Moore.

"We are expecting more than 300 fun-runners of all ages 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 2.1km (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.

Last year the event raised over £2,000 for charity and the organisers hope to beat this total in 2012.

All funds raised will be supporting Monmouth's own Savoy Theatre and also Action Duchenne, the charity dedicated to finding a cure for muscular dystrophy.

If you have not already entered, you can enter on the day or bring along a completed form available from the Spirit of Monmouth RC website http://www.spiritofmonmouth.co.uk">www.spiritofmonmouth.co.uk