SANTA gave the Prospect Hospice a £1,575 boost this Christmas even though he suffered a bout of flu.

John Flatt, who dressed as Santa and stood outside his home which was covered with Christmas lights, collecting cash, was confined to bed for a week just before the holiday.

But his wife Jayne said: "We're amazed that we managed to raise so much. It was all in change and we had to lug it down to the bank to pay it in."

The couple started putting up the lights on their house in Gipsy Lane, Gorse Hill, in November. During Dec-ember John and son Robert, 11, stood outside dressed as Santa and his elf and by the middle of the month, they had raised more than £800.

They decided on the hospice because Jayne's mother died there six years ago.

"We had a great time doing it," said Jayne. "And we're still finding it hard to believe the amount."

The couple are taking the lights down this weekend, but are so pleased with what has happened that they plan to do the same again next year.