SANTA has been on the buses in Swindon collecting money for charity and entertaining passengers.

Mick Iles, 50, has been a bus driver for six years but yesterday he had a different role as Santa Claus.

He rode around the town on Stagecoach buses collecting money for Respite Opportun-ities, a local charity which takes disabled children and adults on activity days like swimming at the hydrotherapy pool or bowling and horseriding.

Mr Iles from Park North is also going to be in a pantomime being held by Albion Sports and Social Club in Bridge Street today to raise money for the charity.

He said: "I'm going to play Happy in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

"We're just trying to raise as much money as possible for the charity.

"The other people in the show have already collected £1,000 by dressing up in their costumes last weekend in the town centre.

"I couldn't collect at the weekend but I wanted to do something so I decided to dress up on my day off and Stagecoach were kind enough to let me collect on the buses.

"I hope I've raised quite a lot my bucket feels pretty heavy anyway."

Some of the children from Respite Opportunities will be enjoying the performance.

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs starts at 7.30pm tonight. Doors open at 6pm.