WINNINGTON-based UK Container Maintenance (UKCM) has saved an old double-decker bus from scrap and transformed it into a mobile project and educational vehicle for trade shows and school visits.

By practising what it preaches, UKCM has restored the bus back to its former glory by reusing materials that would have usually been disposed off.

The leather seats have been reupholstered using off cuts and the electrical devices such as the 50inch flat screen TV and iPads are second hand and have been refurbished to full working order.

The bus also boasts a modern bar and on the top deck part of the roof has been removed to make way for an open top garden area which will contain artificial grass and relaxing deckchairs.

The outside will be vinyl wrapped and branded with the UKCM’s logo.

The bus will provide an educational experience into what UKCM does and the benefits it offers.

Fully roadworthy, the bus will travel up and down the country to trade shows as well visiting schools to teach children the importance of recycling.

Emma Elston, co-founder of UKCM, said: “UKCM’s ethos is ‘Why buy new when you can reuse?’ and this is what we have chosen to do with the UKCM bus.

“Although it was once considered for scrap, we have made very good use of the bus and hope that we can teach others the importance of recycling waste containers.

“The first outing for the bus was at Plant and Waste Recycling Show last week and we were delighted by everyone’s reaction to our innovative take on an exhibition stand.”

Charles Rogers, who project managed the refurbishment, said: “It has been an enjoyable task giving the bus this much deserved makeover. By utilising off cuts from a variety of materials we have been able to create a vehicle based on UKCM’s very own philosophy of reusing and refurbishing.”

Established in 1998, UK Container Maintenance (UKCM) is the UK's largest family owned container repair and refurbishment company completely dedicated to the renovation and modification of all types of waste and recycling containers.