THE Bishop of Monmouth led an unusual service in Abergavenny when he blessed a double-decker bus.

The soon-to-be brightly-decorated Community Mission Bus was given to Holy Trinity Church by Zion Family Church, Talywain, when it had to close.

It has a downstairs café with DVD facilities, an upstairs open-seating/play area and quiet/prayer room and has been completely refurbished by members of the parish.

The bus will visit various parts of the town throughout each week and will offer people "an open ear, a space to be and a helping hand," said the Reverend Dr Bernard Sixtus, Associate Vicar of Abergavenny.

Staffed and driven by volunteers from the Church, mission work on the bus will range from the chance for a coffee and chat while children play upstairs, to qualified counselling.

There will also be a chance to take part in the “Christians Against Poverty” money-management course, which includes helping people to access qualified debt counselling if needed.

"The refurbishment, which took 12 months, was inspired by Christian writer Shane Claiborne’s wake-up call “The kingdom of God has to be something that people can see lived out," said Fr Bernard.

It was a sentiment endorsed by the Bishop who said it was wonderful to see Church going out into the community.

Young people of Abergavenny, through the 7 Corners Café, will now design and paint the outside of the bus "bright and beautiful".