HUNDREDS of Santa’s elves took to the streets for a memory walk to raise funds and awareness for a charity tackling dementia.

The inaugural Newcastle elf walk was organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, to raise money to help the charity continue its work.

Hundreds of people donned green and red hats and little elf suits for the festive five kilometre walk along the banks of the Tyne in Newcastle and Gateshead.

More than 700 people had signed up for the event.

It was one of three due to take place at locations around the country.

People taking part in the Newcastle walk have so far raised around £16,000 and it is hoped the events will raise around £60,000 to carry out further work and research.

Branding the day a success, a spokesperson for the charity said: “Thanks to all walkers and volunteers for coming along.”

The Alzheimer’s Society is raising money to improve care for people living with dementia and to find a cure for the disease.

Money raised through the event goes towards some its current research projects, which include developing a test to improve diagnosis of different forms of dementia, investigating the best ways of putting research into practice and designing potential new treatments for Alzheimers.