DELIGHTED staff and pupils celebrated their success in raising money for a minibus this week.

It has taken De Brus School, in Skelton, east Cleveland, just over a year to secure the £22,000 needed for the new vehicle.

Yesterday, the staff and pupils who have helped to achieve the goal saw the keys being handed over to the chairman of the school council.

A minibus committee was formed to organise the fundraising, but according to Pat Bolton, one of the teachers involved, the committee's work is far from over.

"Now we will have to see to the upkeep of the minibus," she said.

Mrs Bolton said the money was raised through contributions from several different groups.

"We appealed to local businesses as well as individuals," she said.

"We also contacted the Countryside Agency because this is a rural area, and transport is an issue."

She added: "The Cleveland Community Foundation and the Duke William pub gave a lot of money. It was a real community effort.