YOUNGSTERS with disabilities will be able to enjoy more trips out after being presented with a minibus.

The £33,000 bus was presented to King James Community College yesterday by the Lord's Taverners' Northumberland and Durham Region.

The school had to raise £9,500 towards the cost of the vehicle, and achieved its target through a series of fundraising events.

The rest of the money was donated by the Lord's Taverners, the celebrity sporting charity that raises more than £1.6m a year to give young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance.

The wheelchair-accessible minibus will allow students aged from 11 to 18, the opportunity to enjoy a wide range of activities .

Bill Barnes, chairman of the Lord's Taverners' Northumberland and Durham Region, said: "The Lord's Taverners raise thousands of pounds every year to provide specially adapted sporting equipment for young people to take part in sport and other leisure activities, as well as providing mobility via our minibus programme.

"It is wonderful to give this minibus to King James I Community College Special Needs department and help them in their vital work".