WHEN Bexley Rotary Club's Father Christmas takes to the streets this year on his annual tour for charity he will be following a long tradition.

The club celebrates its 75th birthday this year and so does its Father Christmas run.

When it was first launched in 1931, Father Christmas was on board a London to Tonbridge stagecoach drawn by two horses wearing reindeer antlers.

This year Father Christmas and his two reindeer will be along the streets by a new car provided by the Bourne Road Garage.

The transport may have changed but the aim of the tour is the same raising money for charity.

Then, its cash went on anti-gas measures and tobacco pipes for shipwrecked merchant seamen.

Now it gives financial help to a variety of good causes and individuals including Bexley Cancer Care, Bexley Alzheimer's Society, Bexley Women's Aid's shelter, Bexley SNAP and Age Concern Bexley.

It is also helping a disabled young swimmer, a blind cricket player, kidney patients and disabled veterans.

The tour ends on December 16.