THE Santa bus will return across Brighton and Hove with new charities announced for this year.

The bus has raised £417,000 for charity since The Argus partnered with Brighton and Hove buses to launch the festive event 21 years ago.

This year it will return to the city streets once again raising money for local charities. The Santa Bus will travel 20 routes over 20 nights from Monday, November 25 until Monday December 23.

The Santa Bus team led by Santa, came together at the Royal Pavilion in Brighton to reveal which charities will benefit this year.

Santa was joined by the Deputy Lieutenant of East Sussex, Juliet Olsworth, and Brighton and Hove Mayor, Cllr Mohammed Asaduzzaman for this very special announcement.

The twelve charities are the Martlets, Chestnut Tree House, Brighton and Hove Museums, Rockinghorse Children's Charity, Amaze, Clock Tower Sanctuary, Fareshare Sussex & Surrey, Together Co, Possability People, East Sussex WRAS Wildlife Rescue, MindOut and Brighton Women’s Centre.

Brighton and Hove Buses, with The Argus as media partner, remains committed to the annual fundraiser.

Ed Wills, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said “The Santa Bus is a well-established part of the festive calendar. We know from previous years how loved the Santa Bus is as it travels through the streets of Brighton and Hove. It gives local communities access to Santa especially in the hardest to reach parts of the city and where people may not always be able to make a trip into town to see Santa in his grotto while raising money for so many amazing charities. Everyone taking part volunteers their own time which adds to magic of it all.

"We are pleased to announce that this year we have a new bus, with new lights."

Businesses are needed to take part and become Santa Bus Collection Points. If you would like to be one get in touch with the. You can get all the Santa Bus updates, including how to sign up to be a collection point at www.buses.co.uk/SantaBus.