Maidstone town centre bosses insist that yesterday evening's unfortunate breakdown of the £38,000 replacement to the famous Urban Blue bus will "absolutely not" delay its launch.

The former airport ambulance, which was purchased in July to replace the town centre's distinctively coloured mobile medical unit, caused traffic chaos when it broke down on Fairmeadow just after 6.30pm.

The new bus, which will be known as Urban Blue Too and is white, was left blocking the major route out of the town near Fremlin Walk.

The large single decker was driving into the town for the first time ahead of its launch at Kent Police Training School tomorrow.

Town centre manager, Bill Moss, said: “The breakdown was unfortunate but then it was a bit creaky after being out of use for a while, there is absolutely no way it will delay the launch."

Adding: “This new bus is a completely different look, it’s more modern and there’s much more room for patients. It will carry on Urban Blue’s legacy of earning money and travelling all over the county. It washes its own face and that’s what sets it apart.”

Urban Blue was listed on eBay for a short period of time, priced at £12,500, before being sold to charity Project Salus for use as a mobile youth club in Folkestone and Hythe.

The new vehicle will be rolled into action as soon as possible with its predecessor being delivered to its new owners next week.

Whilst Mr Moss was unable to reveal what Urban Blue was sold for he confirmed that both sides were happy with the deal.