FATHER Christmas, along with the help of members from the Rotary Club of Turton, managed to raise more than £10,000 as part of their Christmas fund-raiser.

The club's Christmas sleigh, which spent 12 nights touring the streets of North Bolton, visited thousands of children who, in total, contributed £10,319. The money will go to local charities.

President of the Rotary club, Stephen Hughes, said: "The response has been extraordinary. Everyone was very supportive and I was amazed at how many families look forward to us coming down their street each year.

"The sleigh looks absolutely fantastic with all the lights on and with Santa in the back, it's like a mini wonderland."

Last year the Rotary club took more than 200 children from five schools to the pantomime at Bolton's Albert Halls and has distributed around 150 presents to deserving children.

In March, they plan to hold a party for 120 senior citizens from North Bolton.