It's almost that magical time of the year when Coca Cola's Christmas truck comes to town.

But, not Cumbria. In an open letter four years ago Cumbria County Council leader Stewart Young and public health boss Colin Cox signed an open letter to Coca-Cola, urging it to rethink its Happy Holidays message.

It is not clear whether the letter, sent prior to organisers announcing the truck's festive timetable for 2017, influenced Coca-Cola's decision to avoid Cumbria.

But its not been back since.

The nearest locations for Cumbrian fans to see it this winter are in the north east.

It's one of the stranger new festive traditions with some believing it is a little too commercialised.

But if you're one of the ever-growing Coca Cola truck fan base, Christmas isn't Christmas until you've queued up in a car park to see a lorry.

It is so popular that there's even dedicated fan groups on social media for truck watch.

One Facebook group - known as the Christmas 2021 Coca Cola Truck Tour - has over 1.4k people guessing the truck's route.

What is the Coca Cola Christmas truck - and why is it so popular?

The truck, which is big and red and covered in lights and has Father Christmas on the side, first appeared in the company's 'Holidays Are Coming' advert 22 years ago.

It has been touring the UK every Christmas since 2011 and usually stops by 40 locations before the big day.

The truck is lit by 372 big bulbs and 8,772 fairy lights.

Fans get into the festive spirit as they meet Santa, pick up free cans of Coke and queue to get their picture taken with the lorry.

When is the Coca Cola Christmas truck tour in 2021?

Coca-Cola have now announced the first of Coca Cola 2021 dates, check them out below:

24th to 25th November 2021 - Glasgow - Silverburn Shopping Centre, Barrhead Rd, Glasgow G53 6AG

26th November 2021 - Newcastle - The Metro Shopping Centre, Newcastle, NE11 9YG

27th to 28th November 2021 - Leeds - White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds, LS11 8LU

We will add more dates as they are released.