SANTA made a welcome return to Settle this Christmas - giving out hundreds of presents and raising an impressive £5,845 for local good causes.

Despite a very windy switch on of the town's festive lights, Santa and his grotto braved the weather, courtesy of the Rotary Club of Settle, and also spent three weeks around Christmas delivering presents to more than 150 children.

A spokesperson for the rotary club said: "This year we survived the windiest switch-on to give presents out to 150 children, and, thanks to a lot of willing volunteer elves and Santas from the community, the collection raised a record amount of £5,845 which is all earmarked for local good causes."

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, rotary members have been meeting via Zoom with speakers from Germany, France and USA as well as joint meetings with other Yorkshire Clubs.

In June the Settle Saunter went ahead with individually timed starts and socially distanced arrangements and attracted nearly 300 runners and walkers, raising around £7,000 for international and major good causes. The club is currently loaning money through Lendwithcare to small scale entrepreneurs in Peru, Vietnam and Malawi.

The spokesperson added: "As a small friendly group of men and women, who want to make a difference locally, nationally and internationally, the club is always keen to attract new members to help with events."

To find out more, visit the website: www.settlerotary.org.uk, or contact the secretary, David Blackburne by email: dhblackburne@btinternet.com