FATHER Christmas paid an early visit to the west Wiltshire village of Dilton Marsh to dispense some festive cheer and collect for charity.

The visit on Friday and Saturday (December 10 and 11) by Santa and his sleigh was organised by Ashley Couldrake, 29, of the C Company Rolling History reenactment Group, his wife, Samantha, 40, and their friend Michael Miles.

Mr Couldrake said: "It went very well and we are hoping to make it an annual event.

"We have raised just over £900 for the air ambulance, Macmillan Cancer Support, and the Dilton Marsh Community Centre float."

After doing it last year, this year they were awarded a £500 grant by Dilton Marsh Parish Council.

They also gained sponsorship from several local companies and from others in Westbury and Warminster.

Spectators John Weatherall and Vanessa Graham said: “These chaps always do a splendid float for the people of the village - it’s a Dilton thing.”