Record numbers of Santas took part in this year's Santa Dash for the Hospice of St Francis to raise vital funds for the charity. 

The event, which took place in the centre of Hemel on Sunday, December 14, saw more than 450 people took part in the race dressed as Santa, including the Rodrigues family from Abbots Langley and the James family from Kings Langley. 

The Rodrigues family took part in the Dash for the fourth year running. Ken Rodrigues, 41 said: "My dad died earlier this year and he would have come to the Hospice but he never made it. 

"But we just know they do such a great job for our community and we wanted to do our bit to help and have some fun at the same time, dressing up in our Santa suits along with everyone else. It's such a fun positive atmosphere. The whole event was brilliant."

Nicola James, 26, from the James family, said: "It's our first year doing this and it just looked like such a nice Christmassy thing to do in the run-up to Christmas for a great cause.

"I wanted to do it in memory of my auntie Jackie Saunders, who received nursing care at home from the hospice three years ago, and my Godfather was also cared for by the Hospice. So far we've raised £71, but we're hoping we can hit £100."

The route weaved through Hemel Old Town through Gadebridge Park and back to Riverside through the Water Gardens. 

Andrea Grant, Community Fundraiser for the charity, was delighted with how well the Dash went and is hoping it will have raised almost £15,000 if dashers keep their pledges coming in.