Dust off your Santa hats, hoik out the tinsel and buff up your baubles, it's time to enter for Otterton Reindeer Run.

Difficult as it may seem to believe, given the unseasonal mild weather, but Christmas is only weeks away! It all seems far too early to be getting excited about Christmas but did you realise that there are only 26 shopping days left to Christmas!

Cast aside these stressful thoughts, and get the festive season under way after taking part in the Otterton Reindeer Run on Saturday, December 3. There is a 10k for the more athletic and a fun run for all the family - and it’s even better in fancy dress.

A �10 10k entry fee ensures your pass to exercise from 10 am when the race will be started outside the village Church by Santa himself! The 10k race takes in breathtaking views of the Otter Valley and surrounding countryside; you will be treated to Christmassy tunes at the water stations halfway.

At the finish at the Village Green you will be serenaded into the finish area by Christmas tunes played on a saxophone and handed a souvenir Reindeer Run mug. Then you can make your way to the comforts of Otterton Village Hall where you will be greeted with the hubbub of excited voices and festive bods of all shapes and sizes.

Fran Mills and her hard working team of helpers will recharge your batteries with a complimentary mug of mulled wine, a hot, tasty mince pie generously provided by Haymans Butchers of Sidmouth and a bacon butty (the latter for a small fee, all helping to raise funds towards OCESA (Otterton Church of England School Association)).

If 10k is too far, take your parents and children out for a 3.5k amble - children at �3 per person.

Taking in a more amenable route, the Fun Run heads south out of the village making it's way over the River Otter and then follows the river upstream via the level footpath to Otterton village where all participating children are given a complimentary set of reindeer antlers.

The organisers want to see you decked out in full festive style for this year's Otterton Reindeer Run.

Otterton C of E School and organisers Jim and Jeanette Pyne (aka hashers Big Jim and Mrs Baldrick) would like to thank all sponsors for their generous help and support, without them this amazing event wouldn't be able to take place

?Visit www.sidmouthrunningclub. co.uk and download an entry form, or swerve into the Kings Arms, Otterton and pick up an entry. 10k on the day �12, Fun Run �3.

Sponsors: Ladram Bay Caravan Park; Bicton Botanical Gardens; Hayman's Butchers, Sidmouth ; The King Arms, Otterton ; Otterton Mill; Iron Bridge Runner, Exeter ; Acanthus Press, Wellington; Paul "The Legend" Bowler & Son; Agricultural Engineers; Lily Farm Wines; Land Rover Experience South West; Peninsular Onesource; Four Elms Fruit Farm; Cotley Farm Shop (Helen & Lester Bowker); Clinton Devon Estates - Claire James, George Perrott (Farm Manager of the Year 2008!).

Local Farmers - Mervin Hayman, Gordon Sage, David Tancock, Bill Carter, Martin Williams, Peter Wastenage, Robby Pyne & Tom Pyne. Sidmouth Running Club - John Perratt and Bill Valentine Race Marshalls; Budleigh Carnival Club; Otterton Church & Otterton Village Hall.