FATHER Christmas and his sleigh will be hitting the streets of Ivybridge once again next week, as the town’s rotary club begins its annual door to door collection.

Rotary Club of Ivybridge members will attempt to cover every street over a two week period, before collecting at Tesco Lee Mill in the final week before Christmas.

Members will be accompanied by Father Christmas and his sleigh, playing festive tunes as they knock on doors soliciting donations for charity. Last year, the club raised £5,275 with its festive collection drive, and chairman of communities Adrian D’Cunha said members were very well received by residents.

He said: ’It’s not all about the money. The number of kids who come running out to see us, even in the rain they’ll come running out in their wellies, it’s amazing.

’I grew up in London, and there’s absolutely nothing like that there. We just want to carry on doing it for as long as we can.’

Adrian said the collections would take place between 6pm and 8pm this year, adding the majority of the money would go to the president’s chosen charities, Devon Air Ambulance Trust and Macmillan.

He also paid tribute to Ivybridge Young Farmers Club, who will once again be helping out with the collection as they did last year.

Adrian also noted that, although Ivybridge rotarians used to get lots of requests for money from local groups, these have dropped off. He said the club is keen to continue making grants to worthy causes, and is considering starting a scheme next year that could see small sums, perhaps £250 given out each month.