Rescue bus assists 60 revellers

The bus is designed to provide a "first stop shop" for those out and about in the city centre Enlarge Image

More than 60 people have received medical treatment since Christmas on an SOS bus in Belfast's city centre.

The 60-foot long, bright yellow, bendy bus sits at Shaftsbury Square every Friday and Saturday night to provide assistance to weekend revellers.

On top of those receiving treatment thousands more have used the support facility for night-time comfort.

Joe Hyland of the SOS bus said they were making a massive saving in service and cost for the ambulance service.

Paramedics on board deal with emergency situations, and there is support for others who are distressed or vulnerable.

"Belfast is growing and really is a great city to live in, with more entertainment, more vibrancy and generally more for people to do," Mr Hyland said.

"The city and entertainment provision has come on leaps and bounds. But with that, when things go wrong at night they can really go wrong."

He said the bus had been a positive example of what could be done and while they would love to have the bus operating every night it is "just not possible to financially maintain it".