A TREASURED Westhoughton Christmas tradition has raised more than £7,500 for charity – up £1,000 on last year.

Westhoughton Rotary Club accumulated a "wonderful" £7,639.92 from its Christmas sleigh tour around the town.

The money raised will be donated to local charities or committed to the club's projects, including a St George's Day Party for elderly people in April.

The sleigh has toured the town each Christmas since 1998 – drawing families out of their homes to give wishlists to Santa and make a donation.

This year's impressive collection was made despite bad weather, and will also support a painting competition and exhibition for primary school children in March.

The rest of the cash raised will be divided between charities supported by the club.

Volunteer Ronald Bell said: "Despite some bad weather, the support and encouragement of local people has enabled us to raise a wonderful 2014 Christmas total of £7639.92.

"This year the public encouragement went one better. Just as the record “All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth” had started on the sleigh outside Tesco, a family stopped to put say hello to Father Christmas.

"Laughing, the man asked one of his two daughters to smile and show him her missing front teeth!

"No immediate remedy was provided but it gave everyone a good chuckle."

The sleigh tour raised £6,523 last year.

John Oakes, the club's president, said: "In the past few weeks, we’ve taken part in the lights switch on in Westhoughton, Bolton and Farnworth, toured for 10 nights throughout the town and collected at Sainsbury’s and Tesco, in Market Street and in local pubs and restaurants.

"As well as thanking our excellent volunteer helpers, I’d like to thank everyone who has helped us in any way including the managers and staff of Krone’s, Kia, Tesco and Sainsbury’s and all of the pubs and restaurants we’ve visited.

“The Westhoughton Rotary Father Christmas tour is a well established local institution.

"Our current sleigh alone has been touring since December 1998 and for some years has been towed in style each year by KIA cars. "We are especially grateful to KIA at Middlebrook for yet again providing the exclusive use of a brand new KIA car to tow the sleigh throughout December.”

"A big thank you and very best wishes for 2015 to everyone who has supported us in any way.”