The Santa Express will run in Tunbridge Wells during the festive season.

Discussions between Markerstudy Leisure and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council have resulted in the yuletide train being able to run this year.

Markerstudy Leisure will fund the ride and work with the council to ensure it can be securely parked at night, and has all the necessary permits for it to operated between the Pantiles and Royal Victoria Place, via the High Street.

For the first time, passengers will be asked to make a donation to travel on board, with the money being shared between Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre, and Bridge Trust, which supports single homeless people in west Kent.

Commercial director at Markerstudy Leisure, Nick Moore, said: “We are delighted to announce that once again we are in the position of being able to offer the town a Santa Express this Christmas.

“We are delighted to announce that once again we are in the position of being able to offer the town a Santa Express this Christmas" - Nick Moore

“Earlier reports that there would be no train were premature and ill informed. We have been working with the borough council and other parties to make the train happen. Indeed we offered the train to the council free of charge if they were in a position to operate it.

“Earlier this month the council came back to us and advised they were not in a financial position this Christmas to take up our offer. Since then we have been looking at various options, always with a view to getting the Santa Express up and running.

“This week we concluded an arrangement with another independent company that specialises in running land trains such as the Santa Express. They will provide the train and the staff to operate it in Tunbridge Wells for 13 key trading days in the run up to Christmas, and Markerstudy will bear the full cost.

“We hope that, as in previous years, it will add an extra sparkle to the festive season in our town.”

The other big winners will be the town’s retailers on the route, as well as the Ice Rink at Calverley Gardens.

Co-founder of Pickering Cancer Drop-in Centre, Polly Taylor, said: “Christmas is a very difficult time for people and families having to deal with cancer. We’re delighted that the Santa Express is going to be raising money for our drop-in centre and services, which make a huge difference to people living in West Kent. Thank you.”

As part of the festivities at Salomons Estate, the Santa Express will take visitors on a tour of the grounds between Monday, December 21 and Thursday, December 24 when Salomons House plays host to a traditional Santa’s Grotto.

As well as the opportunity to ride on the Santa Express, children will be able to reassure Father Christmas they’ve been good and give any last minute requests before enjoying a festive treasure hunt in the grounds.