Hundreds of Santas cycled through Rome to try and break a Guinness World Record and raise money for children's charities.

More than 300 festive cyclists gathered at Rome's Circus Maximus before setting off on a route around the city's famous landmarks.

The event was also set up to raise money for children's charities, as one of the participants explained:

"This demonstration taking place close to Christmas is our idea to collect funds for Peter Pan children's cancer charities.

"All riding bicycles dressed up as Father Christmas we want to spread joy and to raise people's awareness about using bicycles in Rome."

The Italian capital is famous for its traffic, despite work programmes to create a more sustainable transport system.