A Coulsdon family is giving up four walls for four wheels as they plan to move into a double decker bus.

Arthur Sharp and Lisa Luke have decided to leave their council home in Coulsdon and live on a bus they are specially renovating.

The bus is currently housed in Brighton, and the family are planning to get it into a liveable condition before heading to Shoreham.

They will live in the bus with three of their children, Albert, 12, Arthur, 4, Kenny, 2, Mr Sharp’s 16-year-old daughter Lauren and Miss Luke’s daughter Jodie, 16, would also visit occasionally.

The family said the decision to leave their Croydon life behind was about a better standard of living.

Mr Sharp, 37, said: “The kids have got nothing to do here.

“They are our main priority and we wanted something better for them.

“They love the idea. Our two-year-old wakes up and asks if we are going to the bus.

“Albert loves his fishing and where we are he can fish in the estuary.”

Mr Sharp said his partner had suggested the idea on a whim but they both fell in love with the notion.

And he believes it will be more cost effective, with only the fuel costs for the generator to deal with.

He added moving out would free up a council house for another family after being told they would not be able to get a permanent house big enough.

The family are renovating the bus themselves and have so far converted the upper deck into three bedrooms complete with bunk-beds.

A kitchen has been installed in the front of the bus downstairs while at the rear there is a homemade sofa bed.

The family have been gathering amenities such as a toilet and shower from junk yards and they plan to make most of the furniture themselves.

They hope to fill the bus with every mod-con including radiators, television, hot showers and microwave.