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Coca-Cola Bus Spotted In London As The Countdown To Christmas Starts Early

Coca-Cola Bus Spotted In London As The Countdown To Christmas Starts Early

It's not yet known when or where it will go this year.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Arguably, the countdown for the next Christmas day starts the moment the clock strikes midnight to bring in Boxing Day on December 26.

Department stores seem to be the first to try to kick off the festive season with Christmassy tunes and sales. However, for those in the UK, the real countdown for the big day doesn't start until the Coca-Cola truck is seen.

And it appears that the clock has already officially started ticking after the iconic red vehicle with a massive picture of Santa was spotted driving through London. Check it out.

Credit: Newsflare

Stewart Power filmed the truck passing through Dagenham, and posted a message online, saying: "Just seen the Coca Cola truck on the A406, does this mean it's officially OK to talk about Christmas now?

"This truck gives everybody that warm feeling inside from when they were younger."

The big vehicle has been a part of the lead up to Christmas for more than two decades, with the first touring across the UK in 1995. It goes on a massive tour across Britain to signal that we're getting closer and closer to the big holiday. Last year it stopped at 44 locations to hand out Coca-Cola drinks to people.

In the years since the tour has been operating, the truck has made an impressive 353 stops in places around Britain.

However, it has come under fire recently from health campaigners, saying that Christmas shouldn't be linked with a sugary drinks company. In 2011, these groups called for the campaign to be banned, while five public health directors took it a step further by submitting a letter to the Faculty of Public Health.

The note read: "We can celebrate without allowing Coca-Cola to hijack Christmas by bringing false gifts of bad teeth and weight problems to our children."

Coca cola truck
Coca cola truck

Credit: PA

Despite the criticism, the company decided to keep on trucking, and the campaign has been gathering steam ever since. But more towns and cities are calling out for the truck to stop by as they feel they've been left out of the festive loop.

The man at the wheel of the Christmas truck was Paul, who said it was an honour: "My kids are proud to be able to say their dad is the driver of the Coca-Cola Christmas Truck.

"I was in the right place at the right time. I was employed by the company who own the truck, and when the opportunity to drive it came up I jumped at the chance."

There's no word yet on the dates and locations for this year's tour, so we'll have to wait and see.

Sources: The Mirror, Coca Cola

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Coca Cola, Christmas, Countdown, UK, Britain