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.

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.

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'm very proud of John’s charity work - but I will make him get rid of his beard after Christmas!"