A MOBILE youth bus has been touring the borough offering young people advice, information or a place to catch up with friends.

The bus targets hard to reach youngsters in the area offering them internet access, Xbox360 and will also give those interested a chance to go on courses learning news skills including music production.

Cllr Dee Hunt who launched the scheme said: “We are very pleased to welcome the bus as a new addition to the other resources in the borough. Although we have youth centres, youth clubs and detached youth work out on the streets, there are always places that we don’t reach.”

The council’s youth team are hoping the scheme will help those in anti-social hotspots reducing crime as well as target specific priorities such as teenage pregnancy.

Funded by the Youth Capital Fund the youth bus will be placed in different locations so the young people of the borough have the opportunity to access a safer environment where they can meet friends and have the support of professional adults.

For information on locations, please contact Julie West on 020 8270 6040 or email julie.west@lbbd.gov.uk