Bus drivers have hit out at their bosses after claiming they have been banned from wearing Christmas jumpers behind the wheel.

In previous years drivers have got into the festive spirt by wearing Santa hats and jumpers throughout December.

But staff at Lothian Buses in Edinburgh were left disappointed last week when they were told Christmas jumpers were not allowed.

The new rules were put down to a policy change but drivers hare unhappy with the decision.

Bosses at the company have insisted the change is part of a new fundraising approach which will allow drivers to dress up from December 19.

One driver, who did not want to be named, said: "I'm absolutely gutted. Everybody's gutted.

"The morale at the garage since we have been told has hit an all-time low. I think it's shocking.

"It's not just for us to make ourselves look good, it's to bring people's morale up and the kids' morale.

"I think everybody should wear their jumpers from the first of December regardless, it's not even a month. It's just a bit of fun.

"I think the 19th is wrong - it's too late and a lot of people are on holiday in that week so they aren't going to get to wear their Christmas jumpers.

"We have had no email whatsoever. I think there's going to be uproar as to why we can't wear them sooner."

The new policy means that Edinburgh's famous bus Santa - who dresses in a Santa suit to raise money for charity - will not be able to start until later in the month.

Passenger Lisa Ferrier, 32, said she was disgusted by Lothian Buses' new policy.

She said: "It just boosts the morale of the passengers.

"I've got kids and my son loves going on the bus, especially when he sees the driver dressed up as Santa with the beard and the funny hat.

"The responses they get every year for dressing up are amazing. The public love it."

A spokesman for Lothian Buses said: "We are doing something different from previous years.

"We are going to focus our efforts on one particular week in the run up to Christmas where all staff will be encouraged to wear something festive and make a donation to charity for Guide Dogs Scotland.

"The reason we are doing it in one particular week is so we can maximise the fundraising potential and raise as much money as we possibly can.

"Christmas spirit is very much alive and well in Lothian Buses."