A POPULAR youth bus has received additional funding which will enable it to be decorated and kitted out with new equipment.

The Wychavon Youth Bus has been given £30,000 from the community cash back fund run by West Mercia Local Criminal Justice Board.

The aim of the bus is to entertain youngsters in rural villages, who may not have access to youth clubs or other facilities.

Youngsters can hang out, listen to music and play computer games on their very own bus.

The justice board scheme gives local people a say in how £4 million of recovered criminal assets should be spent in their communities.

Dave Hemming, community safety manager, said “The Youth Bus is out and about in Wychavon at the moment, but this money will help us to develop it even further. It will go on decorating the outside for signage, making the inside really comfortable and on additional equipment.”

Rob Mace, manager of the youth bus, said “It's great news that we have got some more funding as we will be start the second phase of the conversion work early next year.

“We will be continuing to consult with young people about what they would like on the bus up until Christmas as we want to get as many ideas as possible.

“Feedback from young people who have been on board so far is already good and they would all rather hang out on the bus than be on the streets, especially in rural areas where there is little to do. We still have a way to go to give the bus some street cred but we are getting there slowly.”