THE Father Christmas spirit was back in Broadway this year when the annual Santa race took place.

The race has been a feature of the Broadway calendar for nearly 20 years but had to be cancelled in 2003 because the organisers were unable to get insurance to cover the festivities.

Rules meant all groups using the Village Green needed public liability insurance and the race organisers could not come up with the £150 needed.

The race went ahead this year after funds were found and the Santas were cheered on by around 80 people.

Teams of four from hotels, pubs, restaurants and other businesses in the village took part in the relay race, where each team member ran before undressing and passing the costume to the next person in the team.

Dottie Friedli, secretary of the Broadway Traders' Association said the winning team were the Knight family from the Hare & Hounds pub.

She said: "The teams ranged from mother and daughter to chefs from the Dormy House hotel. The children were there and screamed for their mothers and aunts in the race, then we had sweet throwing for the children. The race was a good cross section of people, and it was good fun."