YOUNGSTERS had every reason to think that they had been good this year after spotting hundreds of Father Christmases running through the streets.

YOUNGSTERS had every reason to think that they had been good this year after spotting hundreds of Father Christmases running through the streets.

Having raised almost £50,000 for the East Anglia's Children's Hospice (EACH) with the four East Anglian runs last year, there were high hopes for the annual Santa Run in Bury St Edmunds again this year.

Rachel Wright, of EACH, said “We held our first ever Santa Run in Bury St Edmunds in 2006, and since then the event has really taken off, with six runs being held across East Anglia this year. The Bury Santa Run has been fantastic in the last two years and we feel this one could be even bigger and better.”

The 2km run took place through the Abbey Gardens in Bury.

The town also hosted a three-day festive fayre with stalls and attractions littering the Angel Hill, Abbey Gardens, and also the Corn Exchange and Athenaeum.

At the same time, a small service was held near the town's nativity sculpture, organised by Bury's Churches Together.

Reverend Robert Green, minister of Garland Street Baptist Church, led the service which also included The Bury Church Singers accompanied by the Salvation Army band.

Sarah Friswell, publicity officer for Churches Together, said: “This annual service is a welcome reminder of the promise of Christmas to come in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the town's Christmas fayre.”