HUNDREDS of runners dressed up as Father Christmas and painted the town red as part of LiveWire’s Santa Dash on Saturday.

This year the race broke with tradition and was held in the town centre for the first time.

More than 300 children and adults donned their Santa suits for the one mile race which started outside the Town Hall and finished in Bank Park.

The race, which started at 11am, was officially opened by the Mayor of Warrington Cllr Faisal Rashid and Cllr Tony Higgins, executive member for culture, leisure and community, who both took part in the warm up.

The Santas were also encouraged to raise money for a charity of their choice with one family using the race as a warm up for a 10k challenge dressed in their red and white gowns to raise money for army veterans’ charity Walking with the Wounded.

Hilary Hughes, 64, and her 39-year-old daughter Marie Hall from Orford completed the charity’s Walking Home for Christmas challenge straight after finishing the LiveWire Santa Dash.

Cllr Tony Higgins, executive member for culture, leisure and community, said: “This was a fantastic event and it was great to see so many families take part and get into the festive spirit whilst raising money for a charity.”

Lou Shannon, senior LiveWire advisor for health and engagement, added: “This year’s LiveWire Santa Dash was bigger and better than our first Santa Dash last year with an extra 100 people taking part. 

“We hope that next year we can build on the event and encourage even more residents to get active whilst having some festive fun.”