CHARLTON'S cut-price Valley Express coach service wrote a new chapter in its growing success story by carrying a record 2,686 passengers in 54 coaches, including four double-deckers, from Kent to Saturday's home game against Aston Villa.

Fans, young and old alike, were transported from Belmont Primary School, Erith, Cliftonville Primary, Dane Court Grammar, Broadstairs, Davington Primary Faversham, Dungeness Sports and Social Club, Great Chart FC, Ashford, Melbourne Community School, Dover, River Primary, Dover, Riverview Primary, Gravesend, Sandwich Juniors, St James the Great Primary, East Malling, St Katherine's School, Knockholt, St Margaret's School, Dover, St Peter's Catholic Primary, Sittingbourne, Str Nicholas Special School, Canterbury, St Stephen's Juniors, Canterbury in addition to four coachloads from schools and football teams in the Maidstone area organised by Sue Townsend.

Valley Express co-ordinator Rick Everitt said: "This was a tremendous achievement for a lot of conscientious volunteers who make Valley Express work. Their hard work is being rewarded by the number of people coming back.

"We've been hit by the switch from Saturday to Sunday for the Middlesbrough and Newcastle games but for the Blackburn match on April 29 we believe we'll carry record numbers."