A DOUBLE-DECKER bus is being renovated by volunteers to provide shelter for homeless people throughout the year.

The 1991 bus will be stripped of its seats and then filled with 16 beds.

The shelter will operate all year round and two support staff will be hired to work on the bus throughout the year.

The project in Brighton is relying on donations and volunteers to carry out the mass renovation, however the organisers are now calling for more help.

David Freeley, of Sussex Homeless Support, said: “The inspiration came from the amount of rough sleepers that are out in Brighton and Hove.

“We needed to take direct action to help solve this crisis.”

The bus cost £1,700 and has already passed its MOT.

It is based at the Big Lemon Bus depot in Boundary Road, Brighton, while the overhaul takes place.

David, 44, said the charity is not only looking for volunteers but also sponsorship for the project.

“We need more timber, more money raised and more volunteers,” he added.

“We are also looking for corporate sponsorship. We want logos on the bus. Come on Sainsbury’s, come on Tesco, we want your help.”

He said they did not have much time to complete the conversion, adding: “This plan would take months, we want to do it in weeks.”

The project has 50 people volunteering for it but it is hoped this number will hit the triple figures in the upcoming weeks.

A JustGiving page has attracted more than 110 supporters and raised more than £2,600 but it is expected that more money will be needed to run the project throughout the year.

Jim Dean, who also manages the projects, used to be homeless in Brighton himself.

He said: “I used to sleep on the streets of Brighton 33 years ago.

“The system was different back then and there was a way out but now all the pressure has been put on people.”

Jim, 57, expressed his frustration with the state of homeless services and charities in the city and the nation.

He said: “There’s a homeless crisis and nothing is happening.

“The older charities haven’t grown, homelessness has but they are all out of date.”

David said he wanted the project to be “an ally for the council”.

He said: “There are 187 recorded homeless people in Brighton at this moment in time, the increase is by 30 every week.

“The council can only do so much because of the amount of spending.”

The council estimates there are now 178 rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove. This means homelessness has risen by about 20 per cent since last year.