PUPILS and staff at a special school are celebrating the delivery of two new, specially adapted minibuses.

The vehicles' arrival was the culmination of a highly-successful fundraising campaign by a group of parents at Five Acre Wood School in Boughton Lane, Maidstone.

In less than two years the parents and their supporters have reached their target to provide the minibuses.

The minibuses, costing £61,000 in total, will be used to transport pupils with profound and multiple learning and physical difficulties on swimming and horse riding outings and educational visits.

Parents Cathy Hayes-Watkins, and Jeannie Lenard, of the Five Acre Wood Parent, Teacher and Friends' Association, who led the minibus fundraising appeal, have thanked everyone who contributed. Numerous events have been held over the last 18 months to raise funds.

Mrs Hayes-Watkins said: "It was quite a challenge but we did it. The school and youngsters are really overwhelmed to receive two minibuses."

Representatives from some of the numerous organisations who donated to the appeal were among the visitors who greeted the vehicles' arrival.

The appeal backers included Bearsted Round Table, Maidstone Boys Grammar School, Maidstone Girls Grammar School, Riding for the Disabled, Sutton Valance School, Fish hairdressing, the Kings Arms, Boxley and Wimbledon greyhound track.