MORE than a year of fund-raising by a small West Somerset school has finally been successful with £20,000 achieved to buy a minibus.

The final push was a silent auction of promises which brought in nearly £7,000 and took the fund past its target.

Now, Old Cleeve Church of England School, Washford, has started a search for a suitable vehicle to purchase.

A spokesperson said: “This will enrich the lives of our students, enabling them to enjoy a number of activities outside of the classroom.”

The village school wants its 116 pupils aged from three to nine years to ‘see remarkable things every day’.

The minibus will also help to cut the expense for parents coping with the cost of living crisis because the school will no longer have to pay outside contactors for transport for trips.

The 14-month fund-raising appeal was supported with parish council and church grants, donations, and events.