HUNDREDS of jolly Santas will cause a stir when they jog through a park in support of a charity supporting homeless people.

The 5km fun run will see 300 runners and walkers don their red and white suits before setting off through Great Notley Country Park.

The event, which was first held last year, is held to raise money to help Hope House Essex - a charity hoping to help homeless people in Braintree.

The charity now owns two houses in Manor Street, Braintree, where people in need can be housed temporarily.

Tony Britten, retired police officer and trustee, said: "We help people find work, register with doctors, claim any benefits they are entitled to and ultimately find more permanent accommodation.

"We are staffed mainly by volunteers who support our residents through any issues they may be having when they arrive, and we then continue to support them after they leave, aiming to ensure that the cycle of homelessness is broken permanently."

The charity say national figures do not paint the "full picture" of the issue of homelessness.

It points to the 'hidden homeless' - people living in unstable conditions by sleeping on sofas and in cars.

Mr Britten added: "We have many more applications to stay at the house than we have the room to accommodate.

"So you have this heart breaking situation of having to turn people away, which is why we are so keen to get the renovations finished on our second house and to start our emergency fund to assist those people for whom we are unable to provide a room."

The Santa run will begin at 1pm, with registration opening at midday.

Tickets cost £12 for adults, £5 for under 18s and are available from the Hope House Eventbrite website.

The cost includes the provision of a Santa suit.