A weekly newspaper celebrating its 150th anniversary has raised £40,000 to pay for a new bus for the community it serves.

The Ross Gazette marked its anniversary in January by launching an appeal in support of the Ross Action Bus.

The bus, which was in need of replacement, provides transport to help elderly and disable people on the Gazette’s Ross-on-Wye patch so they can go on trips, visit friends and do their shopping.

The Gazette has now achieved its target and the new bus will be delivered in October.

Gazette general manager Charlotte Reynolds, far right, with Ross Action Bus volunteers and passengers

Editor Jo Scrivin said: “The Action Bus was in desperate need of replacing, and we set a target of £40,000 at the start of this year to buy a new bus to keep the vital service running. Thanks to the generosity of the local community and businesses this target was reached in August.”

Gazette General Manager Charlotte Reynolds added: “£40,000 was a huge target, and we were not sure if we would get there, however to reach it within eight months of our fundraising year is a fantastic achievement.

“I too would also like to thank everyone who donated to the campaign. Thanks to you, the Ross Action Bus will continue.”

Ross Action Bus president Rosemary Rigby described the success as a “dream come true”.

She said: ” I feel over the moon, and I am extremely grateful to the Ross Gazette and all the people who supported this campaign, I couldn’t be more delighted.”