LAUNCESTON Community Transport Partnership has announced that its 'Little Red Bus' service has been running for a year.

To celebrate its success, every passenger using the bus in its anniversary week (April 18 to 25) will receive a birthday treat.

During its first year, it has proved to be a hit with the people of Launceston and the surrounding area, and is fulfilling its aims of providing a wheelchair, pushchair and disabled- friendly community bus service for those living in villages, hamlets and isolated properties.

To date over 800 people have used this dial-a-ride service and 58 wheelchair passengers have been taken to town, the hospital and medical centre.

Return fare from anywhere is £3, but many passengers have bus passes so, thanks to Cornwall Council, travel free.

The Little Red Bus enables anyone of any age to visit Launceston to shop, go to the bank, library, leisure centre, bank, doctor or hospital, or to meet up with friends and family.

Excursions are very popular and so far over 300 people have travelled to places such as Truro (now a regular trip twice a month), Looe, Padstow and Atlantic Village.

Future destinations include the Royal Cornwall Show and Mousehole Christmas Lights.

The bus has been hired by a wide range of groups and schools for a variety of activities such as

taking children with special needs to the leisure centre pool, a group of people to a regular bridge club and a ladies group to an anniversary lunch.

Lavinia Archer, chairman of the partnership, has extended her thanks to all volunteers who drive the bus, keep it clean, provide office support, or act on the management committee.

She said: "We are lucky to have the support of such an enthusiastic group. Their hard work has played a large part in our success, but even with volunteers, the bus would not run without passengers and I thank them for their support too. We're all delighted that the bus has been so well used in its first year and we're confident that the service will go from strength to strength."

Anyone who has not used the bus and would like more information should contact co-ordinator, Mr Les Smith, on 01566 777960, or have a look at their website, http://www.littleredbus.org.uk">www.littleredbus.org.uk.