PLAY Father Christmas to local charities this November by cutting about in your very own Santa suit!

That’s the invitation issued by the Rotary Club of Dunfermline as they bid to build on the success of last year’s inaugural Santa Dash through the town centre.

Online registration has now opened for the enhanced 2019 event, which will also add a 5K race around Pittencrieff Park.

Last year’s charity fun run was a spectacle which saw more than 100 Santas ‘dash’ down Dunfermline’s High Street to the Glen Gates.

The festive frolics take place on Saturday, November 16, from noon, with on-the-day registration opening from 11am at the Walmer House car park of Malcolm, Jack & Matheson, solicitors, in Walmer Drive, Dunfermline.

Participants in both the Santa Dash and Santa 5K race will be brought under starter’s orders outside Marks & Spencer’s Kingsgate store.

The Dash will finish at the Glen Gates, to which the 5k race runners will return after completing an extended route around Pittencrieff Park.

The event is open to participants of all ages and abilities, with every entrant receiving a Santa suit and beard – a limited number of junior-size suits will be available – and a participant’s medal.

While, as event organisers, the Rotary club will channel the event proceeds to local charities, they are also encouraging individual or team entrants to use the event as a vehicle to attract their own sponsorship and raise money for a charity of their choice.

Rotary president Noel McKenna said: "Following last year’s successful launch event, we are hoping for a greater number of participants this year to help establish this as an annual event within Dunfermline’s festive calendar."

Event sponsorship has been provided by Babcock International Group.

A spokesperson said: “Babcock has a long history of supporting events organised by the Rotary Club of Dunfermline and we are pleased to be involved in this venture to enhance fundraising for local charities in the area.”

Prospective participants can register via the Facebook page of the Rotary Club of Dunfermline and its online link to the Santa Dash registration page or by visiting the club's website at www.dunfermlinerotary.club. Entry fee is £10.