SANTAS swarmed onto Southampton Common and battled the elements to complete the city's first festive run.

More than 100 adults, children and even dogs gathered to take part in the Brendoncare Santa Fun Run this weekend.

• Southampton Santa Run 2015 - in pictures >>

The fundraising event was the first of its kind to take place in Southampton and was organised by Brendoncare, who provide social groups to elderly people across Hampshire and have 10 care homes spread across the south.

Anyone was able to take part, with their £10 registration going towards the charity and a Santa suit before they took part in a warm up Zumba class and then completed the 3km run.

The event raised more than £2,000 for the charity and organiser Tammy Angus was thrilled to see so many people braving the harsh wind and rain to help.

She said: "We just wanted to get involved and organise something like this, it's a bit of fun and gets everyone ready for Christmas and we're so happy to see so many people turning up.

"Hopefully we can make it an annual event, it means that we will be able to carry on offering more and more elderly people support so it means a lot."

Santa runner Holly Lake, 26 from Hedge End said: "I've come with a group of my friends just to have some fun really.

Daily Echo:

"We saw it on social media and thought it was perfect because a few of us are about to go travelling for a month so it's like our last hurrah for a bit, it's great to do something for charity and we've all had a lot of fun getting ready for it by dressing up.

"We're not all runners but I think it's just about coming out and doing something, plus it gets us all in the mood for Christmas."