It’s dealt with more than 500 incidents already this year and saved 495 ambulance trips.

Now Maidstone’s familiar Urban Blue Bus is even bigger and better equipped to handle those out enjoying the county’s biggest nightime economy.

The replacement bus - which is white with blue lettering - cost more than £30,000 and can count eight stretchers and a lift among its features.

Originally built as an ambulance, the bus will be out, manned by volunteers on Saturday on Jubilee Square, Maidstone, where it treats those who have been taken ill or suffering the effects of too much alcohol or drugs while out in the town.

Its 15 first aid trained volunteers who give up more than 5,000 hours a year between them to help out were praised at the launch of the new bus at Kent Police’s training college on the Sutton Road yesterday.

The team dealt with 393 incidents in 2010 but so far in 2014 have already dealt with 511.

Kent police and crime commissioner Ann Barnes, who gave funds towards the bus, described the volunteers as “true public servants”. She said: “I want to praise them. The bus provides shelter and first aid and there is no financial reward to the volunteers.

“I do know what an important resource it is to Maidstone. It is a fantastic asset to the management of the nightime economy in Maidstone.

“And it is a landmark in the middle of Maidstone. People see it and they feel safe.”

Maidstone Town Centre Manager Bill Moss said: “It may be white with blue lettering but we are sticking with the name Urban Blue as it is a name so many people around Kent are familiar with."

Surveys have shown some clubbers are more than three times over the drink drive limit when they arrive in the town for a night out and 70% of incidents dealt with by the bus are drugs or alcohol related.

The bus also goes to events during the week, including NHS events providing health advice, and is available for hire six days a week.

The vehicle it replaces was in use for five years and has gone to be used as a mobile youth club in Folkestone.