A DOUBLE-DECKER bus could be used in York to provide a safe haven for very drunk or vulnerable people on nights out in York.

Street Angels, a group of volunteers from churches in the area, take to the streets of York every Friday and Saturday evening to provide practical help and a friendly ear to those in vulnerable or difficult situations.

The group is appealing for public votes in a bid to secure a £5,000 grant from the Lloyds Banking Group Community Fund, to allow them to use a converted double-decker bus to give people first aid, to offer young people a place to wait while their parents or friends come to pick them up or while they sober up before getting a taxi home.

Information about other local services such as drugs and alcohol, pregnancy crisis centres and homeless services would also be available on the bus.

Urging people to vote for the project, Jennifer Locke, co-ordinator of Street Angels, said: “This funding will provide the resources and training to equip our volunteers to make a difference to the lives of many young and vulnerable people in our city on a Friday and Saturday night.

“We will be able to provide a much-needed safe place where people can come and sober up, stay warm, get a hot drink, and have a listening ear while we help make arrangements for them to get home safely.”

From 10pm to 2.30am, Street Angels volunteers help homeless people or wait with those who are very drunk. Before taking on their roles, volunteers are given conflict management training, as well as advice from the police, Arc Light and the York Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders (YACRO).

The group was nominated for the title of best community project in the Community Pride awards in April.

To support them, visit lloydsbankinggroupcommunities.com/communityfund and search for Street Angels.