VILLAGERS can look forward to better transportation with the arrival of a community bus.

Coundon and Leeholme Community Transport Initiative has obtained grants totalling more than £30,000 to pay for a 15-seater minibus.

The funding has come from a £20,000 boost from the Settlement Renewal Initiative and £10,000 from the Children's Fund.

The bus will be available to residents and community groups living in the Coundon ward, which includes Leeholme, Middlestone, Leasingthorne, Newfield, Binchester and Westerton.

It will see Coundon and Leeholme Community Transport Initiative join forces with Dene Valley Community Transport.

Avril Hamilton, project co-ordinator, said that the new bus would improve links between the small villages in the Coundon Ward.

She said: "Dene Valley Transport already have two buses and they will be looking after ours.

"The bus will widen the horizons for community groups in the area, who will now be able to access facilities outside their own settlements.''

Those who do use the bus have to be members of the Coundon and Leeholme Community Project, which costs around £1.50 a year.

It can be used for educational visits, sporting activities, community events and social outings.

Mrs Hamilton said: "I think it is going to generate a lot of interest.

"The first year of the programme for the project has been quite frustrating, because there have been so many delays in getting things approved through. But this new bus will boost the confidence of the community as they start seeing things coming together."

Former Newcastle Footballer Alan Shoulder will unveil the bus at a fun afternoon on Saturday.

Families and community groups are invited to visit the Coundon and Leeholme Community Project Centre, in Tees Walk, Coundon, for the event, between 1pm and 4pm.

The bus will be available for hire from then on and the project is now appealing for volunteer drivers.

Mrs Hamilton said: "We need people to come forward to drive the bus. They will be trained through the Minibus Drivers' Assessment. We will be relying on these volunteers to drive people to the different places.''

Anyone who wants to volunteer or would like more information about the bus can contact Mrs Hamilton on (01388) 665225.