STAFF and disabled students at Poole’s Victoria Education & Sports College were overjoyed with the delivery of a brand new £35,000 bus.

The 17-seater Fiat vehicle was part-funded by donations through showbiz charity Variety, which ran a collection during Bournemouth Pavilion’s pantomime season.

Variety committee member Anthony Bygraves – the son of legendary Max Bygraves – attended the handover at the Lindsay Road college, and even got everyone singing a special Sunshine Coach Calypso song to mark the occasion.

College vice principal Sue Stratis thanked the Variety Club for their help. She added: “Our students take part in many sporting activities around the county.

“We take part and excel in local, regional and national events from athletics in Exeter to outdoor competitions in the Kielder Forest.

“All students have the chance to take part in residential sporting events which take place at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and in London. We do a lot of miles every year.”

The brightly decorated blue bus will also be used for work experience placements, home transport, medical and hospital appointments, therapy and much more.

Victoria is a leading day and residential school and sports college offering specialised, high-quality education, care, therapy and sport for young people with disabilities aged from four to 19 years.

The presentation was also attended by Variety Club Wessex chairman Frances Cornelius, who organised the bus application and Variety’s Peter Crantham, who agreed it.

Variety committee members Judy and Bob Hiscock, who collected every night during panto, also attended.

Mrs Stratis said: “It is good our students are able to travel in a modern, reliable vehicle.”