SANTA has been asking passengers to ho-ho-hold tight as he ditches his sleigh and takes to the wheels of a bus.

Eleven months of the year grandfather John Gold is an ordinary bus driver for Arriva.

But come September the 61-year-old abandons his razor and begins the task of growing his white beard as he transforms into a familiar festive figure.

During the lead up to Christmas father-of-two John drives buses across Dartford and Gravesend dressed as Santa to help raise money for Demelza House Children’s Hospice.

Wearing a costume made by a neighbour over his uniform the cheery chap prompts smiles from all of his passengers as they board the bus.

Mr Gold, of Hawley Road, Dartford, is a big softy when it comes to the festive season.

He said: “I dressed up as Santa last year and raised £270. The passengers enjoyed it so much they requested for me to do it again. I wanted to raise money for a children’s charity because Christmas is a time for children.

“I grew my beard for two months last year but I wanted longer this year. It does make it difficult to eat sometimes.”

The collection bucket which he ties to the ticket machine has already been filled with £270 from kind passengers so John is on course to raise even more before December is up.

Mr Gold, who has been a bus driver on and off for 19 years and is based at the Northfleet depot in London Road, said: “It makes people smile. The other day a lady came up to me and said ‘You look like a right wally in that outfit but you make me laugh’ and she dropped £5 in the bucket. Others just pop in their change but it all counts.”

John’s wife of 39 years, Pauline, 62, is proud of her husband’s charity work - despite disliking his overgrown beard.

Sadly their young niece Heidi Parish, who had cerebral palsy, was a patient at the Demelza House hospice.

Mrs Gold said: “She was a lovely little girl. She died before her 13th birthday just before Christmas Eve. I am very proud of John’s charity work.

Smiling cunningly she added: “But I will make him get rid of his beard after Christmas.”