DOZENS of festive farmers took part in a tinsel-clad tour of a Forest village last weekend to help raise thousands of pounds for charity.

Organised by local pub landlady Sophie Cooke, a total of 54 tractors turned up to take part in Woolaston’s first ever Charity Christmas Tractor Run on Sunday (December 4).

The farmers donned Christmas jumpers and decorated their tractors with tinsel for the charity run, which started from The Rising Sun pub.

Locals lined the streets to watch a mixture of modern and vintage tractors pass by, with prizes awarded to the best dressed driver and tractor at the end of the run.

Those who took part paid £10 per tractor and £5 per passenger to help raise a grand total of £2,121 for the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.

In the "best dressed" competition, first place went to Ross Price (pictured), while Luke Philpotts was voted runner up by judge Roger Harris.

Sophie, who has been raising money for charity from a young age, organised the run in less than three weeks, and described the event as "a huge success".

She said: "It’s surprising what you can organise in less than three weeks, especially when raising money for a very worthy charity! 

"With over 50 tractors both being vintage and modern and copious amounts of tinsel, our first ever charity Christmas tractor run was a huge success! 

"Raising money for charity is something I love doing! We can’t wait to organise the next one! Hopefully in June so more vintage tractors can join in!"

Prior to last weekend, Sophie had already helped raise an impressive haul of more than £10,000 for charity this year,

She held a harvest auction at The Rising Sun in October, at which £2,500 was raised, also for the Great Western Air Ambulance, as well as a Macmillan Coffee Morning which bought in £1000.

She also hosted a memorial fundraiser for local man JT in September, where more than £7000 was raised for Save9Lives and the British Heart Foundation.