Students met Government ministers at the launch of a scheme to help people on low incomes travel to work, school or hospital.

John Spellar, minister for transport, and Barbara Roche, minister for social exclusion and equality, arrived at Varndean College in Brighton yesterday to announce national transport plans.

The college was chosen as the launch venue because it is served by a special minibus service, which allows students from east Brighton to travel to the city's colleges for free.

The ministers had the chance to talk to students who use the minibus before taking a ride back to Brighton station.

Ms Roche said: "This is an example of how, if you use resources imaginatively, you can do all sorts of things with community transport."

Mr Spellar said: "We have met the minibus users. For those who are not on the main bus route, this is a real benefit."

The Government strategy features a range of measures to help people on low incomes by providing transport links and making changes to existing services.

The Government looked at a range of schemes, including Brighton and Hove's college bus scheme known as pathfinder.

The city council received £170,000 from the Government to pilot the scheme, which has been running since September and is used by 65 pupils.

Two buses run from Coldean, Moulsecoomb and Bevendean to Brighton, Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College, City College, Varndean College and Moulsecoomb rail station.