THIS year's Santa Float organised by Troon Round Table raised more than £7000.

And some of the proceeds were handed out to community groups at the annual Elf Christmas Party night, recently held at the South Beach Hotel to thank volunteers for their support.

The float venture saw Santa Claus and a team of helpers go out and about in the community over 12 nights in December, spreading Christmas cheer by handing out sweets to children and organising door-to-door collections.

Round Table chairman Hugh McNish said: "This year's Santa Float has raised over £7000 which is more than ever before and is very surprising in the current climate. We are delighted with how that has gone. That comes from donations from chapping doors and the likes of Border Cars, who gave us a vehicle.

The South Beach Hotel also laid on soup and allowed us to count our money there every night."

More than 150 volunteers took part in the Santa Float visits and the chairman said: "Thanks to everyone who was involved. It was great to see the smiles on children's faces. We visited 7,000 to 8,000 houses in Troon at Christmas and also went to Monkton this year after a request from the Parent Council at the Primary School. They don't have a Round Table in Monkton and some of the mums were at school in Troon."

At the party night, the Round Table handed out a total of £1500 in cheques, with the money being split across the community. Among those who benefited were the primary schools across Troon, the Boys Brigade, Scouts, Troon Thistle FC and the Troon Twirlers, as well as Troon's Secret Santa organisers.

The remainder of the £7000 will be given out to community groups who approach the Round Table with requests for support.

Round Table organisers are also running the Troon Youth Fund and have £4000 available to give out to out to youth groups within Troon who can apply up until the deadline of March 31.

The Round Table, in conjunction with Live @Troon music festival also raised around £400 for the Troon Christmas Lights Fund through the sale of tickets for the Elf party night and a raffle. held on the evening.