THE magic of Santa on his sleigh raised more than £5,000 for charity in the Vale of Evesham but it nearly didn't happen.

The car pulling the big man's sleigh broke down at the 11th hour. But Listers Volkswagen followed in Rudolph's hoof steps by providing a vehicle to give him a tow. Santa's annual tour of the streets organised by the Vale of Evesham Round Table was finally declared a great success.

A total of £5,400 was raised to be distributed to good causes in the Vale during the coming year.

"Vale of Evesham Round Table offer sincere thanks to everyone locally for making our annual collection another great success," said Duncan Harvey, Secretary of the Round Table.