A LONG-RUNNING community transport group was this week celebrating the acquisition of a new £30,000 vehicle that will help to streamline its service.

Bosses of Peebles-based Tweed Wheels paid tribute to a benefactor who put up a substantial portion of the sum required for the van which can accommodate three passengers and two wheelchairs.

“We had a significant and generous donation from the community without which we wouldn’t have been able to buy the vehicle just yet,” said Graham Lumb, of The Bridge, which is reponsible for Tweed Wheels.

Funding for the new van also came from Awards for All, Scottish Borders Council and the Hugh Fraser Foundation.

“We are delighted to have this - it’s a bit of an upgrade on what we had before. We can accommodate two wheelchairs of up to 200kg and the wheelchair passengers will now have head supports,” said Mr Lumb.

Tweed Wheels was established in 1996 and has a 15-seater minibus - also with accessiblity for two wheelchairs - as well as the new van.

More volunteer drivers are still being sought for the service, though Mr Lumb revealed that one had already come forward after an article in the Peeblesshire News earlier this month.

“We want to offer big thanks to the volunteer drivers - they do an amazing job,” he said. “It’s great that more people are showing an interest but we still could use a few more.” Mr Lumb praised all the staff for ensuring that the service runs so smoothly. “There’s a lot more to do this than meets the eye and everybody here does a great job,” he said.

Tweed Wheels provides transport to community and voluntary groups and anyone with a disability or who cannot use public transport.