AROUND 250 runners joined a Santa Dash at Victoria Park on Sunday and raised more than £6,000 for Halton Haven Hospice.

The figure will rise as more sponsorship comes in.

Chris Andrews, community fundraising manager for the hospice, said: "We are over the moon with the turn out.

"It's heartening to see so many people coming together to support their local hospice.

"I would like to thank everyone who joined the Santa Dash and all the friends and family who have sponsored them."

Now in its seventh year, the route of the hospice Santa Dash originally took runners over the Silver Jubilee bridge.

But in 2015, it was no longer feasible to close the bridge.

Hopefully, the event may return to the bridge in 2019 when the current refurbishment works are completed.