YOUNGSTERS in Darlington have been given a second home for a mobile youth service.

The Blitz Bus service started in September 1999 and over the past two years has been used by thousands of young people, aged from 13 to 25, in the Darlington area.

The first bus was given to Darlington Borough Council's Education Service by the police.

It provides youngsters with access to youth workers, the careers service, police, training providers and substance abuse workers, as well as giving young people a place to meet. It also doubles as a children's mobile library.

The bus is aimed at those young people who do not have access to a youth club in their neighbourhood.

Deputy Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Doris Jones, launched the town's second Blitz Bus, which will enable the service to reach even more young people.

The Blitz Buses are run by the Blitz Support Group, which is made up of young people and youth workers.

They decide what information should be made available to young people through the bus service, as well as organising events to raise money for the service or to give young people's views to other organisations.