NORTH Craven Age Concern is to receive a £ 19,500 cheque towards its new minibus from the National Lottery.

As the group has already raised £17,500 towards the cost, it means that it will now be able to order the replacement bus.

"The lottery news was absolutely wonderful, but it is the hard work of our local volunteers and the generosity of the people of North Craven which has meant that we can buy the bus so far ahead of schedule," said chief officer Sue Mann.

In the meantime, the fund-raising events scheduled for the next six months will go ahead as normal to provide a transport fund to help running costs.

The first event will be An Evening with Bill Mitchell, on January 18, at the Catholic Hall, in Settle.