SANTA will be doing the rounds in Darlington in the nights leading up to Christmas – all in the name of charity, of course.

Darlington Bondgate Round Table is holding its annual Santa's Sleigh series of events, in which Santa hops aboard a brightly-decorated sleigh and visits neighbourhoods around the town to collect donations for good causes.

Rudolph and friends are replaced by a car for the tours, which started in Middleton St George on Sunday (December 7).

Monday's route took in High Grange and Faverdale areas of the town.

Santa is due to visit Blackwell on Tuesday (December 9), Hummersknott on Wednesday, Cockerton and West Park on Thursday and Hurworth on Sunday.

Next week, he will visit Mowden on Monday (December 15), Brinkburn Road on Tuesday, Whinfield on Wednesday and Elton Road on Thursday.

The series will culminate with a day-time collection on the final Saturday before Christmas, in the town centre.

Round Table chairman Chris Swain said the annual series of sleigh runs aims to raise more than £7,000 for good causes in and around Darlington.

He said the visits are popular with residents in the areas they visit, as well as those from further afield, with families travelling in from other areas especially to see Santa.

To follow Santa's progress, visit the Round Table's website, santasatnav.com