Give a festive cheer and dig deep, the Santa Bus is coming to a street near you.

Once again this joint fundraising venture between The Martlets Hospice and The Argus Appeal is revving up as Father Christmas climbs aboard his brightly lit bus to the sound of Christmas songs and carols.

Fundraisers have been busy over the past few weeks preparing the bus, which is provided by Brighton and Hove Bus Company and adorned with lights donated by the Theatre Royal Brighton.

Last year Father Christmas and his volunteers collected almost £12,000 for the two charities.

For the fourth consecutive year the Santa Bus is sponsored by Legal & General.

The bus will be out every week night until December 18 and in Western Road, outside Churchill Square, on Saturdays and Sundays until December 20.

The Argus will announce which streets the bus will be in so people can look out for it and children can wave to Santa. Every penny raised will go to helping those in the community that need it most.

The bus will visit streets in Hangleton, Portslade, Fishersgate, Hollingbury, Coldean, Patcham, Hollingdean, Stanford, Moulsecoomb, Kemp Town, Whitehawk, Roedean, Brighton Marina, Woodingdean, Saltdean, East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Newhaven.

Donation envelopes will be delivered to homes in the streets to be visited by Santa. Please fill in the Gift Aid details and hand the envelope over to one of the volunteers.

Antonia Shepherd, events co-ordinator at The Martlets, said: “The Santa Bus is a highlight of our year but it wouldn’t be possible without our team of volunteers, who will be out with the bus collecting vital cash for the hospice and the Argus Appeal.

“If anyone would like to be involved and enjoy a night with the Santa Bus, we’ve got volunteer spaces to fill.

“All you need to do is contact Rachel in the fundraising office on 01273 747455 or email Rachel.chitty@ themartletshospice.co.uk.”