Black Santa starts charity vigil

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Belfast's Black Santa is expected to begin his annual Christmas sit-out for charity.

Before beginning his vigil, Dean Houston McKelvey will present a number of cheques to charities associated with seafarers and fisheries.

He plans to sit outside St Anne's Cathedral until Christmas Eve, continuing a tradition begun by his predecessors 30 years ago.

The charity vigil has raised more than Â£3m since it began.

Dean Sammy Crooks first started the collection in 1976.

Dean McKelvey first sat out for Christmas five years ago, following in the footsteps of his predecessor Dean Jack Shearer, who died in January 2001.

Dean Shearer was initially dubbed Black Santa by the media because of his distinctive clothing and the name caught on among the public.

The appeal raises money for various charities in Northern Ireland as well as Christian Aid.