AN appeal to buy a minibus to transport shoppers with disabilities into the centre of Durham is about halfway to its target.

Durham Shopmobility, which hires out scooters and wheelchairs to people who have difficulty walking the city's streets, needs to raise about £10,000 to replace the vehicle it used to use to pick up shoppers from outlying areas.

It had to take the minibus off the road in October because it was coming to the end of its life and then launched an appeal for a second-hand replacement.

So far the appeal stands at £5,392, with more money pledged and Shopmobility is delighted with the response.

Recent donations include £602 raised by the Durham RAOB with a charity night at the city's Companions Club on Saturday night, and £500 the Bede Rotary Club raised with a brass band concert at Elvet Methodist Church last month.

A Shopmobility spokeswoman said: "So far we have definitely got £6,000 but some of that is pledged, it is not all in yet. We have £5,392 in so far.

"We are definitely getting there.

"It is hard work fundraising but the small organisations have done really marvellously for us.''