RESIDENTS of Newton Aycliffe have a good reason to use public transport now that their community centre is in a double-decker bus.

The town's Junior Neighbourhood Watch group used to lease the Dandy Cart public house as a meeting place up until March when it got demolished to be turned into a nursing home.

It opened most days providing a community area for over 700 young people and residents.

Sedgefield Borough Council was approached by Newton Aycliffe ward councillors to use a building on Silverdale Place as a replacement which later fell through.

Many people thought this meant the end of the group but determined councillor, Dorothy Bowman came up with the unique idea of using a bus.

She said: "I was asked if the group was going to have to stop because we had nowhere to go which I refused.

My husband and I are both certified LGV drivers and I immediately thought of using a bus which children have named The Kool Big Red Bus.

"The bus has nothing to do with politics, it is simply a place for young and old people to come along to socialise, do homework, hold activities or have parties "I will be driving it mainly and it will tour the Western area of Newton Aycliffe and is available throughout the week for children or for older people who want a coffee and a chat."

County councillor, Bob Young managed to get in touch with a London bus company who supplied the bus which was transported to the North East in July.

Mrs Bowman and her husband spent the last few months renovating the bus to make it suitable for children and the elderly.

It now boasts a pool table, table football, seating areas with tables and games and its top deck is an empty space following seat removal.

The group received no funding and all expenses were paid for by money raised from discos, market stalls and raffles.

Mrs Bowman is applying for Youth Opportunities funding from Durham County Council to finance the upkeep of the bus and she also needs volunteers to work on the bus.

If you would like to volunteer call 01325-308094.