A MINIBUS service used mainly by elderly and disabled people could face closure because of a cash shortage.

Thousands of people with special transport needs, including those in wheelchairs, have travelled on the Bedale Volunteer minibus since it was set up in 1993.

The future of the service, which sees 80 per cent of its use by elderly and disabled people, and which is also available for private parties, could be bleak unless more funding is found.

The present Renault bus, the third vehicle to have been used on the service in its 13 years, will soon have to be replaced at an estimated cost of £80,000.

But Wanda Reynolds, chairwoman of the Bedale Volunteer committee, told the annual meeting of Bedale Town Council that if it could not be raised, the service may shut.

She said: ''It is becoming more difficult to get volunteer drivers, many of whom come from RAF Leeming, and also to raise enough money to finance the service.

"We have to raise quite a lot just to keep it on the road.

"It made a loss this year, despite charges and fundraising events. There have been more maintenance costs and a rise in insurance, and we are looking to replace the bus in 2007-2008.

"If we cannot replace the bus, looking at the worst possible scenario the project might have to shut down."

Minibus co-ordinator Malcolm Grainge said: "We have had a very tough 12 months with the bus.

"It is four years old and has done about 80,000 miles, but whatever is on the mileometer you can technically double through wear and tear due to a multitude of different drivers doing stop and start runs and the sort of roads we have to drive over, but this does not imply any criticism of drivers.

"Fundraising has always been very difficult and hard work, but we do receive donations and the Rector and Four and Twenty, a local charity, has been very good to us."

Four drivers have been recruited in the past five months but more are needed.

To help the project, call Mr Grainge on (01677) 425329 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.