CHRISTMAS is coming and that can only mean one thing – The Argus Santa Bus is on its way.

The bus, lit up with hundreds of sparkling lights, has toured the Brighton area for the last 15 years, visiting well-behaved children and listening to their Christmas wishes.

This year is its biggest yet, taking in 200 streets across the city.

So far, Father Christmas and his team of helpers have spent 11 nights visiting areas of Brighton and, after a short weekend trip back to the North Pole to check that all the presents will be ready on time, he will continue his journey on Monday in Hollingbury.

We spoke to Santa himself and he encouraged people to go along and meet him.

Santa said: “While Rudolf and the other reindeer are resting up and getting ready for Christmas, Brighton and Hove Buses has donated one of its wonderful open-top buses to transport me around the city. I will be joined by Santa’s little helpers who are collecting money for two fantastic charities, The Martlets hospice in Hove and The Argus Appeal.

“I even have my very own Santa Tracker so you’ll know where to find me.

“Wherever you live in the city, I’ll be close by, so please come along and give me a wave.”

The Argus Appeal gives assistance to those in need by providing funds for worthy causes, in particular disadvantaged children, the elderly, people with disabilities and other groups or charities considered by the trustees to be appropriate for a fund allocation which will “make a difference”.

The Martlets cares for people living through a terminal illness in and around Brighton and Hove, and East Sussex.