A BUSLOAD of friendship will soon be heading out to meet the young people of the Totton area.

The bus has just been acquired by the Totton Streetwise project thanks to a lot of help from friends including the town's Ichthus charity shop in Rumbridge Street and St Winfrid's Church. The project, which is supported by organisations including New Forest District Council, St Winfrid's and the Trinity Church, already runs its successful non-alcoholic Tower Bar.

Co-ordinator John Robinson explained the bus will enable workers to go out and offer young people in the area's streets a confidential chat and a hot drink. They also help in arranging for a roof over the head of anyone who is homeless.

Mr Robinson thanked the organisations who had funded the bus and praised the volunteers .

He added: "The young people of the town who have come to know and trust us are also making it all worthwhile."

The project already has a successful bus working in the Waterside parishes of Hythe and Dibden and Fawley.

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