The Argus Appeal plans to delight children and raise thousands of pounds for charity with this year's Christmas grotto.

The grotto started taking shape when students at City College Brighton and Hove helped to put the scene in place.

Carpentry students from the college, who are doing some of the woodwork at the grotto at The Gingerbread House, next to Donatello's restaurant in The Lanes, started work yesterday.

Santa will arrive at the grotto on November 23, in a horse-drawn procession, supported by the City Centre Business Forum.

The grotto, backed by The Argus and Legal & General, raised more than £20,000 towards the appeal last year.

The Gingerbread House is housed in a former prison building dating from 1835.

Last year, it was transformed into a winter wonderland and organisers hope it will be just as stunning an attraction this year.

Every penny from the grotto goes to help the needy in Sussex through The Argus Appeal.