A 'CHATTY Bus' is set to be launched tomorrow, as part of a national drive to tackle loneliness and social isolation.

Thames Travel will station 'Chatty bus ambassadors' on board their number 41 service between White Horse Leisure Centre and Abingdon town centre.

The company says the ambassadors will distribute ‘Happy to Chat’ badges for passengers to wear if they wish to take part.

Phil Southall, Thames Travel Managing Director, said: “Loneliness is a genuine issue that effects so many people and we hope the launch of our Chatty Bus campaign will begin to help make a difference to people in our communities.

"Buses form such an important social function and by providing some additional support and engagement we may be able to make even more of a difference.”

Thames Travel will operate the Chatty Bus as a pilot scheme as part of a national campaign by parent company Go-Ahead.

Go-Ahead chief executive David Brown said 33 per cent of people catch the bus to have some human contact.

He added: “The launch of our campaign is the first step we are taking to encourage people to reach out to those around them.

"Loneliness is a scourge of modern society and can have the same impact on health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.”

The prime minister has called loneliness 'one of the greatest public health challenges of our time'.