WATCH: Manchester City Council's Christmas advert

This year, more than no other, the Manchester bee has become a symbol of unity and caring for one another.

That's why the city's chiefs have created a special seasonal card with the iconic image, with the message 'Merry Christmas. Wishing you peace and health'.

They will be available from Friday 1 December and 25% profit from the cards will be donated to the city's ongoing pledge to fight homelessness through its Big Change* campaign.

Cards featuring two different designs will be sold in packs of 6 for £6.00 at the shop in Manchester Central Library.

The design of the cards also reflects elements of the city's wider Christmas campaign, which includes a short animation for social media that was made in collaboration with Manchester animation studio, Flipbook.

The film shows Santa gingerly taking to the ice at the city centre rink surrounded by Manchester landmarks. Sadly for Manchester Santa he's not as sure-footed as his reindeer - and he's definitely not a Dancer, or a Dasher…but perhaps more of a Prancer as he spins, spills and slips on the ice.

However, the magic of Christmas is restored as two youngsters get their skates on, to take Santa's hand and save his festive face.

Talking about the city's festive campaign, Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester's Christmas spokesperson, said:

David Regan, Director of Population Health and Wellbeing at Manchester Health and Care Commissioning - a partnership agreement between Manchester Clinical Commissioning Group said: