Tom Gooding

Over 1,000 people will don Santa suits this weekend to take part in an annual fun run, which is hoped to raise tens of thousands of pounds for charity.

Now in its sixth year, the annual Siemens Lincoln Santa Fun Run & Walk, organised by the Rotary Club of Lincoln Colonia, will take place at 11.30am on December 11.

Starting in Castle Square, the Santas will follow a 3.5km course around the picturesque and historic Bailgate area.

The event is open to all ages and abilities as a walk, jog, or run.

Sponsored by Siemens, the run is in aid of the British Heart Foundation, St. Andrews Hospice, Samaritans, the Siemens Charity, and other local charities.

1,200 people have already signed up to take part, and each participant is being asked to raise at least £20.11.

Event organisers are hoping that this will raise over £20,000 immediately, before considering additional sponsorship and entry fees.

The run costs £10 to enter. All participants will receive a free Santa suit and a finisher’s medal. Those who raise over £50 will receive a commemorative T-shirt.

Application forms can be picked up from Running Imp in Lime Kiln Way and Imp Travel on the High Street. You can also fill in a registration form online.

Battered delight (L-R): Mick O’Carroll, Gillian Morris and Peter Jennings’ fish and chips has four times less fat than a regular chocolate bar

A local chippie battered the opposition by producing some of the healthiest fish and chips in Lincolnshire.

Scientific analysis carried out on fish, chips and mushy peas from Kingfisher Foods’ mobile fish and chip trailer, which serves villages around Lincoln, show it is 93.5% fat free.

The results also show it has four times less fat than a Kit Kat chocolate bar and contains 3.2 times more fibre than two Shredded Wheat.

The tests were carried out in October by The Batter Company and food and drink research company, Campden BRI.

Mick O’Carroll, partner at Kingfisher Foods, said the results were fantastic:

“Fish and chips consistently receive negative press nationally as a big part of Britain’s ever growing obesity problem. We felt this was unfair and needed to prove our point.

“I sent off a sample of my fish, chips and homemade mushy peas, because I felt that the general public needed to see that, eaten in proportion, fish, chips and peas are part of a healthy balanced diet.

“I am not saying every day is a good thing but once a week can’t be bad for you. It’s been a big part of the great British diet for decades.”

O’Carroll said only Icelandic fish taken from sustainable fishing grounds was used by Kingfisher Foods:

“Because it is the best fish it is the most expensive but we feel it is worth the difference.”

The trailer, based in Laughterton, also operates from Bassingham Village Hall car park on Tuesdays, Skellingthorpe Village Hall car pack on Wednesdays and Collingham Centre car park on Fridays. It is open for business from 4pm to 8pm.