Yo ho ho go!

A QUICK swing of the arms as the Santas warm up for the dash. Pictures by TIM BRADLEY

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UPPERMILL was a sea of red as more than 500 Santas descended on the village.

Runners - and some walkers - of all ages took part in the second annual Santa Dash organised by Saddleworth Round Table.

They wore Santa hats and suits to tackle either a 5k or 2k route - with the numbers increasing sixfold from 93 last year to 570.

Patrick Gardiner (33) from Uppermill won the 5k race for the second year and said: "I like it because it's a local event. Everyone turns out for it, it's really fun and you can bring the whole family."

Everton supporter Laura Williams (30) from Mossley couldn't bear to wear red, opting for a blue Santa hat and jacket in her team's colours instead.

She was among 50 members of Greenfield Greyhounds taking part - all wearing sparkly beards - but said: "We will still be taking it fairly seriously."

Laura and Gareth Dickinson completed the 2k run with four-year-old twins Albie and George, and Laura explained: "We are doing it to raise money for Dr Kershaw's Hospice in memory of my dad."

Sixteen members of Nordic Walking Saddleworth also walked the 5k route, and instructor Caroline Fisher added: "We love Saddleworth and we like to get involved in the community."

Everyone received a medal, and prizes donated by local businesses were presented to the winners.

The event raised about £2,000 which will be used to support local good causes, and Saddleworth Round Table chairman David Wood said: "It was a brilliant. There's always a few things you can pick and think you will improve, but generally the feedback was fantastic."

"Everybody had a really great experience, the weather was great and it seemed to go down well."