Runners dressed as Santa raced through the centre of Windsor on Sunday to raise money for a charity that has spent 10 years working towards the building of a new children's hospice.

The Alexander Devine Children's Hospice Service has also managed over just one decade to become an indispensible support to families of children with life limiting illnesses, visiting them in their homes.

It was started by Windsor couple John and Fiona Devine in memory of their son Alexander.

Now as the date gets nearer to the official opening of its new children's hospice in Maidenhead funds are needed as much as ever - and Sunday's run raised £15,000.

The charity's community fundraiser Julia Philipson said it was one of their most successful events.

She said: "It was really amazing - everything we had hoped and wished for.

"It was incredible to see so many people and families come out to support us. We think about 500 were taking part.

"People came from far and wide - there was one Japanese family visiting Windsor who asked to join in."

The charity had a pile of Santa suits to give away so all latecomers could be kitted out for the 5k Santa Dash that started at the Long Walk before heading through the town.

The ever popular Burnham based choir Pop Goes the Choir turned out to support the runners, taking up positions in the town and keeping up the singing as the runners went past.

Visitors to the town fresh off the train stopped to watch and listen.

The event was sponsored by Horler estate agents - just one of the many locally based organisations that have lined up to support the charity since its inception.

PICTURES BY Chris Morrell MBE, Mike Bleakley and Noah London Hobbs