HUNDREDS of families at the Catterick Army garrison waiting for news of loved ones in the Gulf have had their spirits lifted by the donation of a minibus.

The Ford Transit minibus has been donated by the Army's national charity, the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), which has leased a number of buses from forces vehicle support service Lex Defence for use at garrisons across the country.

It will be used and managed by the Army Welfare Service for a range of activities from taking children to and from school, supporting scouts, wives' clubs and charitable events.

The minibus will be unveiled on Tuesday in a ceremony overseen by Catterick garrison commander Colonel Johnny Hackett.

Peter Stableford, army welfare officer at Catterick, said: "We are very pleased. It is brand new with new livery and will be used by the youth and the community for various social activities."

ABF director of donor development and communications Andrew Fisher said: "The ABF provides financial and practical support to soldiers, former soldiers and their families when they are in need. We are very proud to be able to donate these community minibuses to these garrisons and hope that they will be well-used for many years to come."