A NEW mobile facility which will tour the streets of York providing help and education to disadvantaged young people has been officially launched.

URBIE, or Urban Rural Bus Information, was launched on Monday at York College.

The bus will visit areas in York where young people gather and give them help and advice on issues ranging from careers to health.

The project has been funded by Connexions in York and North Yorkshire and is a project in partnership with City of York Council's youth service.

Michelle England, senior information co-ordinator for URBIE, said: "This is a much-needed and vital service, particularly for hard-to-help young people in disadvantaged and rural communities.

"Through URBIE we hope to reach out to help young people to ensure that they get the right kind of information, advice and support which enables their needs to be met."

Initially the bus will be available for three evenings a week and all day on Thursday. It will also visit schools, colleges and community centres.

The advice and guidance will be given by youth workers, Connexions advisers and professionals from specific areas such as careers and health.

Youth work manager at City of York Council, Bob Purrington, said at the moment youth workers were going out on to the streets and introducing the idea to young people.

This would continue for the next couple of weeks and the bus would be fully operational in the New Year.

He said: "Hopefully we will be able to introduce young people, who find it difficult to access youth services, an alternative way of reaching information and support.

"Other areas, including Scarborough and Doncaster, have used the bus and it has been successful."

The chief executive of Connexions, Barry Hitchen, said the service would help many young people receive advice, information and support.

Updated: 09:30 Wednesday, December 17, 2003