The Argus Appeal has donated £3,000 to help a special school buy a new minibus.

The existing bus at Downsview School, Warren Road, Brighton, urgently needs replacing as it is becoming increasingly expensive to maintain.

The school hopes to raise £12,000 to £15,000 to pay for a Variety Club minibus or for a good quality second-hand vehicle.

Sandy Austen, chairwoman of the Friends of Downsview, said: "We were so pleased when we heard - it will make a big difference to us.

"Because we're a small special school it takes us a long time to fund-raise and we really need a new bus.

"It is used every day to take the children out on trips and the older pupils to work experience."

Money has also been coming into The Argus Appeal, with a local firm donating £1,400.

Chris Lamb, the financial director of Fastnet International, raised £400 by taking part in the three-day South Downs Way cycle challenge.

Mr Lamb, 29, from Hove, said: "I hadn't done anything like it before. It was very hard but I would definitely like to do it again next year."

The company, an internet service provider based in Ditchling, has also offered £1,000-worth of services, including broadband connection and website creation, to be given to charities chosen by The Argus Appeal.

Elsa Gillio, The Argus Appeal's co-ordinator, said: "What a magnificent effort by a local firm. We are well on the way to beating the £35,000 collected last year for the Appeal."