TAVISTOCK Area Support Services (TASS) received a welcome New Year present when Devon County Council Community Transport Team awarded it a £35,000 grant for a new minibus.

The nine-seater wheelchair accessible minibus will be used in Tavistock and outlying areas, getting to the places the other larger minibuses cannot reach.

General manager of TASS Andy Lyle said he was delighted: 'Our 15-seater coaches have trouble getting to some locations because they have an under-slung tail lift which grinds on roads which are not even.

'Everything is internal in the new minibus so it does not affect ground clearance.

'It now means that we can collect elderly people from the door instead of them having to meet at a centralised point. Getting the new minibus is a luxury we never thought we would have.'

TASS has delivered valuable services for people over 55 from Tavistock and surrounding areas since 1985, offering activities not only in its purpose built centre in Chapel Street, Tavistock but also through drop in centres in local outlying areas.

Over the past six years TASS has developed a wide range of transport solutions from the hospital car service to the wide range of services the minibuses provide each year, taking people out and about.

It also offers advice and Information to support clients in making their welfare and benefit claims, as well as support in accessing other services relevant to their individual needs.

Devon County Councillor Debo Sellis said she was thrilled that this grant had been awarded to TASS.

Cllr Sellis said:'It means that even more people living in Tavistock and outlying areas will be able to get out and about as this vehicle will be able to cross bridges and go down lanes giving access to all.'

The minibus will be available from mid-May and will be a welcome addition to TASS's fleet.