MARLOW Rotary's president has pledged to get hundreds of Santas racing around the town to raise money for charitable causes.

Niall Blair, 62, from Little Marlow, took over from David Saunders as the president of the Rotary Club of Marlow, district 1090, on July 1.

He plans to organise a charity fun run in Marlow before Christmas, inviting entrants to don a Santa suit and raise money for a cause of their choice.

Mr Blair said: "Santas will have to pay a small entry fee to go towards the Rotary club and they can also raise money for their own causes too. It should be a fun, festive event raising money for lots of good causes."

Mr Blair has nominated Parents for the Early Intervention of Autism (PEACH) as his charity for the year, which the club will continue to support for the next three years.

PEACH is a national parent-led UK charity that promotes early behavioural intervention for young children with autism. He selected PEACH because one of the club's 45 plus members has a grandson who suffers from autism.

His other charities are Hearing Dogs for Deaf People in Saunderton, Princes Risborough and Mercy Ships, a national UK charity that send ships and surgeons to Africa and the Caribbean to perform life-changing operations.