REVAMPED double decker buses could put an end to the homelessness crisis in south Essex, campaigners hope.

Tony Cooper, who used to live in Basildon, wants to bring the Bus Shelter UK project to the borough and other parts of the county.

It comes after a report by charity Shelter revealed there are currently 1,000 people who are either homeless or living in temporary accommodation across Basildon.

He was inspired after the scheme was launched on the Isle of Wight last month to put an end to rough sleepers. It came following the closure of a night shelter.

Mr Cooper, who now lives in Kent, said he wants to work with the charity to get the ball rolling in Basildon by February next year - and is calling on help from volunteers.

The two buses earmarked for the area would have a working kitchen and open coal fire.

Mr Cooper, 49, has contacted Basildon Council about potential locations for the refuge.

He told the Echo he was inspired by a feature on BBC One’s The One Show.

He said: “It’s a really clever idea, and just seeing how it has helped people, it was something I felt that Basildon needs and are looking for a bit of help.

“I have managed to secure two buses and we’re hoping to start getting work done on them in January.

“It was done a whim really, and we will probably play it by ear in the early stages.

“We would aim to have them up and running so to speak by February and March and will work with councils. “ Mr Cooper added that the purpose of the scheme is not only to provide temporary respite from the streets, but to offer long term support too.

He said: “The idea is that people could come to us between 5pm and 11pm if they didn’t have anywhere to go.

“The doors would then shut at 11pm, mainly to stop people just coming on the bus when the pubs shut.

“By 9am we would try to get people up and about whether it is working with people on the bus who will help with form filling and getting them back in a home.

“We would never kick somebody out if they had nowhere to go.

“PO boxes would be set up to ensure that letters can be received. I have spoken with councils about potential locations.

The project has already expanded to Milton Keynes and Ipswich - with other towns and cities in the country also in the pipeline.

Kevin Newton, who set up the scheme said he is delighted buses could arrive in Essex.

Mr Newton, who bought his first bus for £7,000 and raised a further £35,000 to convert it, said there are also plans to expand to Warrington, Dorset and Devon.

He said: “We are very interested in working with Tony and setting up in Essex, we are one big family.

“Homelessness is a problem that affects everywhere really and the more towns we can get on board, the better. I don’t think councils have realised just how many rough sleepers there are out there.

“The idea came from when I was in Melbourne, and there was a bus which was collecting people on the streets. But I wanted to do more than that, I wanted to change their lives.”

A Basildon Council spokesman said: “Basildon Council is not engaged in ongoing discussions about the Bus Shelter UK project.

“After a discussion with housing officers, Mr Cooper has been directed towards the voluntary group which, in partnership with the council, is currently providing a night shelter for three nights per week in the borough.

“The figures released by Shelter last month are largely based on people living in temporary accommodation, rather than rough sleepers.

“We currently estimate there are 17 rough sleepers in the borough, and at present there are 402 households living in temporary accommodation.”

For more information or to volunteer to help with the scheme, visit facebook.com/groups/Thebusshelterbasildon