A mobile youth project housed on a double decker bus is in danger of coming to a halt unless more adults jump on board.

The 1968 former London bus is in service with a youth project called Damascus, which aims to fight boredom and vandalism in Drayton, Appleford, Milton, Sutton Courtenay and Steventon, near Abingdon.

The bus, which rolled into Steventon for its launch last June, acts as a mobile drop-in centre for young people between the ages of 11 and 20.

Upstairs has been converted into seating where youngsters can socialise and listen to music.

Downstairs there are tea and coffee making facilities.

Damascus organiser Rita Atkinson said: "At least three adults have to be present on the bus before we can allow young people on board. "The bus does not carry passengers in transit. It arrives in each village on a designated evening and parks in a pre-arranged spot."

The bus acts as an information point for young people to use it as a springboard for other projects such as drama workshops, photography, cycling proficiency and motorbike maintenance.

The organisers hope adults living in the villages, who may have specialist interests and hobbies, will visit the bus, talk to the young people and help bridge the gap between generations.

But a shortage of adult volunteers is restricting the use of the bus.

Damascus chairman Nick Thompson from Steventon said there was an urgent need for adult volunteers to come forward if the project was to succeed.

"Until there are people willing to come forward to supervise the bus when it visits Steventon it will not be able to come here," he said.

In Milton Heights regular visits by the youth bus are proving popular with young people and adults coming forward as they are in Sutton Courtenay but more adult input is needed to keep the service going in Steventon, Drayton and Appleford. In an appeal to parents in all five villages, bus co-ordinator Caroline Grundy said: "Some adults are quick to criticise young people but slow to come forward to play their part."

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 parochial church councils and parish councils to develop a long-term strategy to help young people.

Anyone interested in helping the bus project should get in touch with Mrs Atkinson on 01235 848694 or Caroline Grundy on 01235 848679.