OCTOBUS, Swindon's only mobile arts charity, launches its new £20,000 double decker bus on Saturday.

The launch comes just six months after the project's very future was at stake because of a lack of funding.

Octobus brings the arts to some of Swindon's most disadvantaged communities. It has been given a new lease of life in the form of a £161,241 Community Fund grant from the Government.

Support is also coming from the private sector in the form of money from Invertec, npower and Thamesdown Transport. The injection of funding translates as three years' running costs for Octobus, as well as refurbishment of the vehicle.

Saturday's launch of the bus will be marked with a workshop in batik a form of art using wax as a medium on the upper deck, along with a blacksmithing demonstration at the project's on-site forge.

Heidi Yorke, manager of Octobus, said: "The funding is a dream come true for all of us at the project and for the many children we support.

"When we told the children that we needed funds to refurbish the bus as it was becoming unsafe, they offered to do anything they could to help.

"At some of the places we visit, there are literally no facilities for children and young people. The bus provides them with a safe place for them to meet and fun things for them to do."

Founded in 1979, the Octobus project provides free play and creative opportunities for isolated or disadvantaged people.