THREE years of fundraising have paid off as a community received a new mini-bus.

Dene Valley Community Transport, in Eldon Lane, has gone from strength to strength since it was established about ten years ago. It has now taken delivery of its fifth minibus.

The project has succeeded thanks to the determination of villagers, who wanted to provide a cheap way of helping residents from the Dene Valley community get out and about.

Chairman of the organisation, Margaret Ingledew, was delighted when television weatherman Bob Johnson handed over the keys.

She said: "It is five years since we bought our first bus and here we are with a fifth one.

"The service is very well used by everyone in the villages and its success is down to the hard work of all of the staff and volunteers.

"We have also had a lot of support from Wear Valley District Council and Wear Valley Development Agency."

Mrs Ingledew was joined by volunteers and residents at the presentation, at the Eldon Lane One Stop Shop.

Five-year-old Hannah Watson, who was three-months-old when the community bought its first bus, joined the festivities.

Mr Johnson said: "I think what they do for the people of the area is fantastic.''

The new bus cost about £43,000.