DESPITE it being his busiest time of year, Santa has already managed to raise more than £1,000 for charities in Droitwich this Christmas.

The festive fellow has been out every night on his sleigh since Monday, November 30, meeting youngsters and spreading Christmas cheer as he goes.

His route has been organised by the Droitwich Rotary Club and the Droitwich Lions Club, whose volunteers take it in turn to accompany Santa as he works his way around 300 streets.

Sandy Laird, of the Droitwich Rotarians, said: "This year, the public have again been wonderfully generous, and the Rotary donations for St Richards Hospice, and local Rotary Charities are most gratefully received.

"Meeting the children and bringing them the magic of Santa is most rewarding for the Rotarians and Lions and friends, who man the sleigh and act as Santa's elves to collect donations.

"The children of Droitwich are so well behaved, clever and polite. As are their parents! It is a joy to serve this community."

And the fundraising doesn't stop here, as Santa still has plenty of people in Droitwich to visit before the big day later this month.

Bill Phillips, of Droitwich Lions Club, said: "The kids love it and a lot of the older folk love it because they remember it from 30 years ago. It is a good fundraiser and people like it, they have liked it for a long time."

A founding member of the town's Lions Club, Mr Phillips said the sleigh ride generates a couple of thousand pounds every year for children's charities.

On Friday, December 18 and Saturday, December 19 the sleigh will be in the town centre.

For a full schedule of where Santa will visit, including dates, visit Droitwich Lions' Facebook page at facebook.com/droitwichlions