The much-loved Santa Bus returns to the city today.

From today, the bus will begin its 19-night tour across Brighton and Hove.

For the second year in a row, Santa Bus workers will not be knocking on doors.

Brighton and Hove Buses has partnered with SPS distributers and Brand Vaughan, who  will be posting leaflets through the letterboxes on all the streets they are visiting.

Residents will be asked to come out to see Santa, give a wave, and donate if they wish to.

Santa said: "With Rudolf and all my other reindeer resting up and getting ready for their flight on Christmas Eve, Brighton and Hove Buses have once again donated one of their wonderful open top buses to transport me across the city and beyond."

The Argus: The Santa Bus begins its journey across Brighton and Hove tonightThe Santa Bus begins its journey across Brighton and Hove tonight (Image: Brighton and Hove Buses)

The Argus is the official media partner for the Santa Bus.

Editor Arron Hendy said: "It is great to see the Santa Bus back again in all its twinkling glory. 

"It brings huge joy to children around the city and it feels like that is particularly important this year.

"Please do get out and see Santa and donate if you can.

"There are so many amazing charities that the Santa Bus helps to support."

Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Ed Wills said a total of 12 local charities will benefit from the donations made this year.

The Santa Bus tour of the city will begin tonight in the Goldstone and Downs Park area and will finish on Thursday, December 22, in Whitehawk.

The Argus: Santa will wave at children across the citySanta will wave at children across the city (Image: Brighton and Hove Buses)

The 12 charities that will benefit from donations are Martlets, Chestnut Tree House, Motor Neurone Disease Association, Take Shelter, Possability People, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, Extratime, Voices in Exile, Sussex Cancer Fund, Ronald McDonald House, RISE and Fareshare Sussex.

Each night, the bus aims to begin its journey between 5.30pm and 5.45pm, depending on traffic.

This where the Santa Bus will be and when:

Friday, November 25 - Goldstone/Downs Park

Saturday, November 26 - East Saltdean

Monday, November 28 - Wish/Portland/Boundary

Tuesday, November 29 - Saltdean

Wednesday, November 30 - Peacehaven

Thursday, December 1 - Woodingdean A

Monday, December 5 - West Blatch/Knoll

Tuesday, December 6 - Moulsecoomb

Wednesday, December 7 - Stanford

Thursday, December 8 - Hollingdean

Friday, December 9 - Hangleton

Saturday, December 10 - Southwick

Monday, December 12 - Patcham

Tuesday, December 13 - Woodingdean B

Wednesday, December 14 - Bevendean

Thursday, December 15 - Hollingbury

Friday, December 16 - Coldean/Meadowview

Monday, December 19 - Mile Oak

Thursday, December 22 - Whitehawk

You can track Santa as he makes his way across the city in real time at https://www.buses.co.uk/santa-bus-tracker.