THE Argus Appeal Santa Bus raised a record breaking amount close to £30,000 last Christmas.

The Santa Bus 2015 raised a best-ever total of £14,518.44, which has now been matched by Lloyds Bank, meaning the grand total going to help good causes across the county is £29,036.88.

The popular festive bus brings joy to the faces of thousands of children across Brighton and Hove every year as well as raising vital funds for the Martlets Hospice and Argus Appeal.

This year for the first time an interactive bus tracking service was introduced, allowing visitors to The Argus website to see the bus's journey round their neighbourhood in real time - which organisers believe may have contributed to the record total.

This coming year the fairy-light-bedecked double-decker will extend its route to take in the streets and lanes of Portslade in addition to the 150 city streets it visits every year.

Argus Appeal co-ordinator Elsa Gillio said: "The Santa Bus is now a firm favourite for our city.

"It brings the magic of Christmas to more than 150 streets each year. At the same time it raises much needed funds for The Martlets Hospice and The Argus Appeal.

"The big news for us for 2016 is that - due to public demand, we are going to include Portslade in our schedule this year.

"We are so grateful to the hundreds of people who make it such a success."

Bruce Kail, head of credit operations at Lloyds Banking Group, said: "Everyone loves to see Santa in the run up to Christmas, seeing the faces of children light up really makes each evening special.

“Once again Lloyds Banking Group colleagues from City Park, Hove, braved all weathers alongside Santa on his open top bus to collect money for The Martlets Hospice and The Argus Appeal.

"Volunteering is a key part of the group’s Helping Britain Prosper Plan and I’m proud to see our colleagues using their day to Make a Difference, and our Matched Giving scheme in support of our local community.

"Everyone loves to see Santa in the run up to Christmas, seeing the faces of children light up really makes each evening special.”