THE fight is on to save a historic Hartlepool bus forever associated with Christmas in the town from being scrapped.

The 1972 Hartlepool Transport Bristol RE single-decker carried Santa’s sleigh on its roof every Christmas for about 20 years and was thus known as the Santa bus.

But now the bus, registration OEF 77K, is about to be scrapped by the Lincolnshire gliding club which has been using it a mobile mess room.

Members of the Hartlepool Transport Facebook Group are hoping it can be saved and brought back to the town for restoration.

Spokesman Nick Larkin said the group been offered the bus for £500, around the scrap value.

He said: "We very much hope it can be saved and brought back to its North-East home. If anyone could help with reasonably priced transportation and storage for the bus we would be eternally grateful."

There are plans to set up a group in the town to help run the project and hopefully look after other surviving Hartlepool buses.

Mr Larkin originally bought OEF 77K in 1997 from Stagecoach to save it from the scrapman and it was later converted used as a mobile social club for Age Concern in east Yorkshire.

Most seats have been removed but it does have a wheelchair ramp so may be suitable for a community organisation. Mr Larkin is writing a book on Hartlepool Transport and wants to hear from anyone with pictures or memories.

He believes the sleigh and reindeer associated with the bus and in the older photograph were broken up by Ripon Round Table. Hartlepool ran 58 Bristol RE single deckers from 1967-97. Their longevity attracted enthusiasts from across the country to the town.

Anyone who can help, or who would like to become involved with the Santa Bus rescue should contact Mr Larkin on 01733-347776 or 07950-643065 or email him on nicklarkin721@btinternet.com