AN adapted minibus has been presented to a Newton Aycliffe school.

Deborah Jeffery, the Lady Taverners Northumberland and Durham regional chairwoman, presented the bus to Walworth School last week.

The organisation is a fundraising arm of The Lord's Taverners, the celebrity sporting charity which raises more than £1.6m a year to give young people, particularly those with special needs, a sporting chance.

The minibus, costing £32,500, was funded by the Lady Taverners and Walworth School, which contributed £9,500 towards the cost through its own fundraising efforts.

Margaret Price, the charity's director, said: "The Lady 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 Walworth School to help them in their vital work."

Walworth School's pupils are aged five to 11 and have severe emotional or behavioural difficulties, or learning disabilities, such as autism or dyslexia.

The minibus will enable them to have access to the wider community and participate in educational and social visits.