PUPILS and staff at a Wordsley special school are delighted after being presented with a brand new minibus.

Pens Meadow School were selected to receive the 17-seater bus from the Variety Club children’s charity.

The minibus is as a result of a match funded application to Variety, which was approved in 2013, with the school being sponsored in their bid by motoring charity The Italian Job.

Thanks to the new minibus, pupils at the school will now be able to access community facilities and activities which would previously have been impossible.

Tony Oakman, Dudley Council’s strategic director for people services, said: “I am extremely happy that the school has been successful with their bid for a new minibus.

“This will enable the staff to take pupils out whenever they need with the flexibility to visit places without having to organise specialised transport.

“On behalf of the pupils and staff at Pens Meadow School, thanks to both Variety and The Italian Job for their support and sponsorship.”

The Italian Job raises money to support children’s charities through organising Mini car adventure runs to Italy each year emulating the iconic film of the same name.

As well as the presentation of the new vehicle, pupils also got the chance to have a closer look at some of the Mini cars which The Italian Job brought along.

Pens Meadow provides education for more than 60 children and young people, aged between three and 19-years-old, with profound, multiple and complex disabilities.