CHIPPENHAM NEWS: THOUSANDS of pounds could be spent on improving a bus service which provides a vital lifeline for disabled people in Chippenham.

New trustees and a management team were appointed to run the Transport for the Disabled scheme at a meeting at North Wiltshire District Council offices on Wednesday night.

Chippenham town councillor Maureen Lloyd spearheaded the campaign to get the two buses, which were run by the town's Lions' Club until the end of last month, back on the road.

She said money would be invested in improving the scheme and has not ruled out buying new vehicles if grants can be secured.

"I'm relieved I was able to persuade enough users to take it forward because the Lions' Club has managed it over such a long period and done such an exceptional job that it would have been a tragedy to have seen it disappear," said Cllr Lloyd.

"It is a valuable service and the lifeblood for clubs in the town."

The Lions decided to stop running the buses, which take disabled people to clubs and events, because of a lack of volunteers and spiralling costs.

Cllr Lloyd praised members of the charity for their efforts and is confident about securing match-funding to boost the service.

"The buses are roadworthy but we are looking into the possibility of getting funding and support to improve the vehicles," she said.

"You can't keep going out with a begging bowl so we will be trying to match-fund ourselves."

A team of seven people will identify ways of generating cash and will be in charge of the day-to-day running of the vehicles.

Cllr Lloyd said: "A few of the trustees will help the management team with the day-to day running such as co-ordinating the buses and supporting the drivers.

"Anyone who comes on board to help has to come on board in earnest."

Groups such as Pensioners Voice, Ladyfield Church, the Arthritis Club and the Tom Metcalf Centre use the buses and are relieved they have been saved.

Audrey Scotford, of Chippenham Luncheon Club, which meets every Thursday at the Rotary Club in Station Hill, said if the service had been axed many groups would have feared for their futures.

"We would have looked at using a fleet of taxis but it would have been very expensive," she said.