Marathon-running sports editor Dave McLean will be donning his Santa hat and beard this weekend as part of a bid to make it into the Guinness Book of World Records.

Dave, (55), from the Staffordshire Newsletter, is planning to join more than 4,000 other Father Christmases for the Newtown (Powys) Santa Run to raise money for charity - and break the existing world record (3,500) for the most people dressed as Santa in one race.

At just 4.5 miles the race should be no problem for Dave - who is more used to running marathons - but his big red Santa suit will provide a different challenge.

Dave said: "I'm not usually one for dressing up - it's enough running in shorts and a T-shirt!

"But I took part last year and it was a great experience to see some many people dressed up as Santa.

"The atmosphere was fantastic and everyone was greeting each other with a 'ho ho ho'."

At his peak Dave - who has completed 10 marathons and many other distance races in 21 years of running - could complete a 26.2 mile course in under four hours.

But on Sunday he won't be timing himself and will instead be running for fun - as well as raising money for the Newtown Dial-a-Ride fund and the Innage Grange Care Home in Bridgnorth.

And if the event does manage to break the world record, Dave says it will be an added bonus.

He said: "I've never been in the Guinness Book of Records before so there will be some achievement to be part of it. I'm really looking forward to it."

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