AT one point in the classic children’s story The Snowman, the character is seen flying over Brighton.

Now he is a lot closer to the ground as he travels through the streets on the side of a double decker bus.

Brighton and Hove Buses has worked with The Snowman’s author and illustrator Raymond Briggs to come up with the design.

It is a depiction of Briggs’ original illustration of the Snowman and James passing over Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.

The author is a patron of Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice near Arundel.

The hospice provides care and support to children with life-limiting conditions and their families across Sussex.

It is not part of the NHS and relies on the support of the community to keep going.

The bus will be on the streets ahead of the hospice’s annual Snowman Spectacular Fundraising Ball, which this year takes place on December 2.

Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Martin Harris said: “We are absolutely thrilled to bring The Snowman Bus to our customers and in time for Christmas.

“We’re hugely grateful to Raymond Briggs for his permission to let us use his original illustration and in time to celebrate the 40th anniversary next year of the original picture book’s publication.

“We’ve always sought to celebrate and enrich the artistic and cultural heritage of the city and are certain The Snowman bus exemplifies this.

“There are so many adults who have a warm, deep and nostalgic connection to the story.

“We very much hope The Snowman bus will melt the hearts of all those who travel across Brighton in it.”

Hospice head of fundraising Sarah Arnold said: “The Snowman Bus is a fantastic way for us to celebrate the iconic character in Brighton and a reminder of how the story resonates with us and the life-limited children and families we care for.

“The young boy in The Snowman story gets to experience an amazing adventure but then loses his new friend.

“However when you think of The Snowman, it is the happy times you remember, not the sad ending.

“This is very much what Chestnut Tree House is about – providing wonderful care, experiences, and precious memories of happy times together.”

The Snowman bus will make its debut public appearance outside the Royal Pavilion at the Old Steine tomorrow from about 2.30pm.

It will be helping to celebrate a decade of collaboration between Briggs, who lives near Plumpton, and the hospice.

The bus will be in service for customers from Sunday.