Santa record bid attracts 13,000

More than 13,000 Santas have taken part in a record-breaking charity event on the walls of Londonderry.

Thousands of pounds were raised for good causes after a sea of red and white descended on the city vantage-point.

This is the first time the Guinness world record attempt has been made in Northern Ireland.

The total taking part was almost double the number seen in Las Vegas during a recent attempt on the record.

There was a carnival atmosphere in the city with live music and victorious Derry boxer John Duddy arriving in the middle of the festivities, fresh from his victory over Howard Eastman in Belfast's King's Hall on Saturday night.

A spokeswoman for the record attempt organisers said: "It was the most amazing sight you have ever seen.

"With John Duddy arriving that just added to the euphoria that we have here."

The procession of rosy-cheeked and bearded Santas took longer than an hour to walk along the walls.

Organisers had hoped for 10,000 Santas and were delighted with the final tally.