Santa is set to tour the region in style on a vintage Routemaster double decker bus to help raise money for deserving local charities.

With his mischievous elves by his side in his magical grotto, Santa will meet excited children on board the bus and give each of them a present.

The Stagecoach Santa Bus is being provided by bus operator, Stagecoach West, with the support of staff and will tour Cheltenham, Gloucester and Swindon in the run-up to Christmas.

Parents or guardians will be asked to make a minimum donation of £2.50 for each child who sees Santa and the money raised will go to the charities, Gloucestershire Young Carers and Friends of Young Carers Swindon.

This is where you can see the Stagecoach Santa Bus:

Monday December 17 - Cheltenham High Street

Tuesday December 18 - Cheltenham High Street

Wednesday December -19 Gloucester King's Square

Thursday December 20 - Swindon Wharf Green

Friday December 21 - Gloucester Kings Square

Times are 11am - 3pm, except on December 20 in Swindon which will be 8.30am - 5.30pm

Gloucestershire Young Carers is a charity providing a range of services for young carers who look after an ill or disabled family member. The charity currently supports more than 1,000 young people.

The charity Young Carers Swindon provides a similar service in the borough where there are approximately 21,000 unpaid carers of all ages (including children and young people). Swindon Carers Centre is available to provide them with much needed support.

Stagecoach West's managing director Rupert Cox said: "We are delighted to enter into the spirit of Christmas and help spread a little magic with our Stagecoach Santa Bus.

"Many young people do a fantastic job in support of ill or disable family members and we hope the Santa Bus will raise lots of money to support the vital work of these two Young Carers organisations in our region."