YOU would have been forgiven for doing a double-take after glancing at Brean Down on Sunday morning.

That is because the National Trust site was overrun by dozens of Father Christmases, who were all there to take part in the Santa Scramble, organised by Aspire Running Events.

There was a serious aspect to the run though, with 10km and 5km courses for adults around the peninsula, and a 1km or 50m dash for children.

The army cadets of the Gibraltar Company, Somerset Cadet Battalion helped to martial the day, which saw runners start at the Brean Down Cafe before ascending the 97m-high headland and running along the top to the Roman fort before turning around.

An Aspire spokesman said: “A huge thank you goes out to each and every one of the runners for making it such a fun and festive event.”

Stuart Anderson of Burnham Harriers clocked 54.09 in the 10km to finish eighth overall, just ahead of club colleague Phil Strange.

In the 5km race, Josh Harris of Weston Athletics Club finished 12th, in a time of 38.08.