Organisers of an annual charity Christmas collection in Bushey and Oxhey were delighted to find they had raised £1,000 more in December than the previous year.

Bushey and Oxhey Round Table’s tour of the villages throughout December collected £6,350, which was totted up earlier this month.

Father Christmas’ sleigh was taken around dozens of roads along with volunteers who collected money for hampers of food and goods which were delivered to needy people during the festive period.

The success of this year’s collection left the group with an extra £1,000 after buying the hampers - money which was split between Little Reddings and Highwood primary schools and two local Scout groups.

Round table member Michael Duffy said: “We were delighted with the amount we raised. The sleigh tour is a part of the Christmas build-up in the area and it is nice it has been going for so many years and is still successful.”