A restored London double decker bus is the latest weapon in the battle against vandalism in five Oxfordshire villages.

The 1968 former Fleetline bus is now in service with a youth project called Damascus and will be touring Drayton, Appleford, Milton, Sutton Courtenay and Steventon.

The bus rolled into Steventon for the official commissioning ceremony carried out by Mary Spalding, widow of Dr Ian Spalding, from Sutton Courtenay.

Dr Spalding was the chairman of Damascus and a driving force behind the youth bus project.

Mrs Spalding said: "It gave me very great pleasure to have cut the ribbon on the youth bus.

"My late husband was very closely involved in this project, which took an enormous amount of work to get established. I hope young people will use the bus, enjoy it and take great care of it."

Damascus leader Rita Atkinson said the event was tinged with sadness because Dr Spalding, who died on holiday in February, was not present to share the occasion.

She said: "Ian worked so hard and had a great vision for this project."

Three years ago the Abingdon-Damascus Youth Project received a grant of more than £55,000 from the Lottery Community Fund. Damascus has been working with churches and parish councils to develop a long-term strategy to help young people. The bus acts as a mobile drop-in centre for young people between the ages of 11 and 20. Young people can socialise, listen to music and make tea and coffee on the bus.

Giles Shearing will manage and coordinate the service, but Mrs Atkinson is keen to enlist the help of adult volunteers.

At least three adults have to be present before young people can board it.

Mrs Atkinson added: "We hope that adults living in the villages who may have specialist interest and hobbies will come along and talk to the young people and help bridge the gap between generations."

The Oxford Bus Company refurbished the vehicle and has offered 10 hours free training to volunteer drivers.

There are plans to use it as an information point for young people and for other projects such as drama workshops, photography, cycling proficiency and motorbike maintenance.

Stacey Keeler, 11, from Steventon, said: "The bus is just what we wanted.

"It will be somewhere to go to meet friends."

Sam Day, 14, also from Steventon, agreed: "There is not much to do for young people in villages."