IT was the coldest December in a century.

But despite the snow and ice, brave souls at Potters Bar Rotary Club joined Father Christmas for all but one day of his traditional sleigh tour around Potters Bar.

And their efforts have been rewarded, after it was revealed this week �6,700 had been raised for the Rotary’s good causes and charities.

The annual tour really did test Rotarians to the limits as they battled the elements, according to club spokesman Roger Philpott.

He said: “We had 11 nights planned round every street in Potters Bar and we made 10 of them, despite the awful weather

“We only missed the last Sunday night – it just wouldn’t have been safe for residents, helpers or anybody.”

After the tour, Rotarians and Santa pitched up outside the Tesco store in Mutton Lane, where they stayed for the last four days before Christmas.

“In total we raised �6,700 which proportionally is up on last year, if you take into account we missed that one day,” Mr Philpott said.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Tesco for letting us collect outside their store, and to residents – they love the sleigh and they tell us that, which makes it all worthwhile.”

He added: “We’d also like to thank John Godfrey and Chris Cardell-Williams, who drove the sleigh, and all the club members who turned up and kept it going in what was atrocious weather.

“They made it a superb effort.”