Thousands of pounds have been raised by Watford Rotary Club through Santa Claus float collections organised over Christmas.

Members of the organisation revealed today that thanks to the generosity of residents across the town donating cash, £7,836.36 was collected.

Over eight evenings in December, Rotary Club members travelled more than 20 miles through the streets of north Watford in a refurbished Santa Claus sleigh, asking for donations. Other members spent seven days in the float collecting cash outside a number of Watford supermarkets.

Organiser Allan Packham said: “The reception from the public was even better than previous years and they all gave us a warm welcome, despite the weather.”

Children were delighted to see the brightly painted sleigh with its reindeers and elves carrying Santa past their doors.

The club has been running the Christmas collection for at least 30 years. This time, 25 members and friends of the club volunteered to take part in the collection.

Money raised will go to Rotary supported charities - locally, nationally and across the world.

Watford Rotary Club is one of some 25,000 clubs worldwide that form the international Rotary movement. The club meets weekly at the Watford Town and Country Club, and is open to men and women who wish to put something back into the community, support national and international causes and enjoy meeting socially.

For more information about the club contact member Peter Clark on 07868 453 647 or visit www.rotarywatford.org .