Record Santa dash

Thousands of people dressed as Santa Claus have taken part in the English city of Liverpool's annual "Santa Dash", setting a new world record in the process, organisers of the event say.

To raise money for local charities, about 5,000 people dressed up in red suits, white beards and black boots and ran for five kilometres through the streets.

The feat dwarfed last year's event that saw the north-west city earn a place in the Guinness Book of Records for the most Santas in one place at one time with 3,921.

Though more than 5,000 people filled in applications to enter the 2006 event, the exact number of runners along with the total amount raised was not to be confirmed for several weeks.

The event's website acknowledges that it will faces stiff competition for the world record from an event in Las Vegas later this month.

Meanwhile, hundreds of Santas also dressed up to take part in similar charity runs in two Welsh cities, Newtown and Oswestry, attracting a total of just under 2,000 runners.

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