15192/1A MINI bus paid for by a £10,000 grant from Gannett, the owners of the Gazette & Herald, is being put to good use by Devizes Contact a Family.

The grant from Gannett came at an opportune moment as one of the charity's two mini buses was on its last legs. Colin Rossiter, vice-chairman of Contact a Family, said: "One of our buses was falling apart so we are very grateful to Gannett for awarding us the grant which paid for a replacement mini bus.

"The bus is used as an all purpose vehicle. We have had it adapted to be able to carry wheelchairs."

Contact a Family helps up to 100 families of children with special needs aged up to 18.

The mini bus is used to transport children on outings, to youth club meetings at the Nursteed Centre and to CARE Rowde for music therapy.

Contact a Family benefits from money raised by the Majorwrecks, the all male majorette group, and last year they raised £8,000 for the charity. Mr Rossiter, who has been a Majorwreck since they started 15 years ago, said: "We help by taking the youngsters out and giving the families a break."

The Majorwrecks are short of members and rehearsals start this Sunday at the Cavalier pub at 7pm.