29 pictures as Stockton’s Santa bus tour begins in style

The magical open top bus, carrying Santa as he waved to families from aboard his special bus, set off on its opening route through Wynyard, Wolviston, Thorpe Thewles, Stillington, Whitton Village, Redmarshall, Carlton, Elton, Long Newton, Yarm and Kirklevington.

Crowds gathered along the route to catch a glimpse of Santa as he passed by.

Here are 29 pictures from the Santa bus route as it passed through Stockton borough:

Santa bus going through Long Newton (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Santa on Wheels in Wynyard. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Carlton Village. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Wynyard. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Wynyard. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Carlton Village. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Kirklevington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Wynyard. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Thorpe Thewles. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Carlton Village. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Kirklevington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Wynyard. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Thorpe Thewles. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Thorpe Thewles. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Carlton Village. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Thorpe Thewles. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Carlton Village. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Yarm. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Kirklevington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Kirklevington. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

Santa on Wheels in Thorpe Thewles. (Image: STUART BOULTON)

The Santa on Wheels tour continues on Friday, December 12 with a route covering Stockton Town Centre, Parkfield and Oxbridge, Grangefield, Newtown, Bishopsgarth and Elm Tree, Fairfield, Hartburn, Eaglescliffe and Egglescliffe. Families will again be able to follow his progress through the live Santa tracker.

With two more evenings to come on Saturday and Sunday, communities across the Stockton Borough Council area can look forward to Santa bringing festive joy to Thornaby, Hilton, Maltby, Ingleby Barwick, Billingham, Port Clarence, Cowpen Bewley, Norton, Roseworth and Hardwick.

The bright and cheerful bus will continue spreading Christmas spirit as it travels through the borough over the weekend.