A BUS designed to help drunken clubbers in distress is to be launched in June.

The Basildon SOS bus was parked at Festival Leisure Park over the weekend to offer a haven to worse-for-wear revellers.

But the vehicle, which is soon to become a permanent fixture at the entertainment complex, was only on its first trial outing.

The bus was manned by trained first aiders to help people who had over-indulged, but it also offered food and water along with counselling on drug or alcohol abuse.

Run by the YMCA, the double-decker has a medical centre on the lower deck to treat people who suffer minor injuries on their night out to save them a trip to hospital.

Det Insp Lynn Goodall, SOS bus project manager, said: “The trial period of the bus will give us a great insight into what we need to adapt to ensure the smooth running after it is officially launched in June.

“I hope people in need of its help will utilise the resources we have made available.”

Bala Mahendran, chief executive of Basildon Council and chairman of the Basildon Community Safety Partnership, said: “The bus will be a great asset to the district, and will become a focal point at Festival Leisure Park as well as major events taking place across Basildon.

“Basildon’s SOS Bus offers reassurance to the community that help is on hand at Festival Leisure Park over the weekends to help the nights run smoothly, keeping Basildon’s residents and visitors to the area safe.”

An SOS bus has been running successfully in Southend for several years. The scheme aims to cut crime and antisocial behaviour by offering drunken clubbers somewhere to go and sober up as well as reducing the burden on hospital staff.

From June, the bus will be at Festival Leisure Park on Friday and Saturday nights.