A COMMUNITY bus has been helping thousands of people across the county access vital cancer advice and support.

The Macmillan mobile information bus, affectionately known as Bertie, helped 3,359 people in Dorset access the information they needed as it parked up in town centres and rural communities throughout 2016.

Staffed by cancer information specialists, the team provide practical and emotional support to visitors and help to answer any questions about cancer ranging from signs and symptoms, financial advice, local services, end-of-life care and bereavement.

Tina Churchill, cancer information and support specialist for the south west said: "Our visits to Dorset last year included new ventures, including reaching out to men and women at Biker Nights in Poole and Weymouth, a new visit to Portland on the sea wall to celebrate the Spirit of the Sea event, and providing outreach in rural communities which may not have access to information and support in the locality.

"We also attending Bourne Free, supporting the LGBT community in Bournemouth, where we had support from the British Association of Dermatologists and the local FLIRT café."

Michelle Smith, cancer information specialist for the mobile service, said: "2016 was an amazing year. The mobile information team have reached thousands of people on our big green buses. The mobile service is a free, confidential drop-in service where visitors can step onto the unit and ask any question they have about cancer whether it relates to themselves or someone they care about."

Macmillan said that 31 per cent of visitors to the bus last year from the south west lived in rural areas, and more than 62 per cent were from deprived communities.

Michelle added: "We visited town centres, county shows, village coffee mornings, workplaces, football stadiums, markets and even joined farmers markets. The variety of places we visit enables us to reach people that might not be able to access Macmillan otherwise , particularly in rural communities."

The mobile service schedules can be found on the website at macmillan.org.uk, or call Macmillan Cancer Support free on 0808 808 00 00.