ORGANISERS of a minibus appeal are putting the final touches to plans for the launch night.

The fund for Mencap and Gateway, in Rossendale, is being launched at Waterfoot Social Club on Thursday, September 27.

Committee member Linda Hardman, who also runs the Mencap shop in Bacup Road, Waterfoot, is masterminding the appeal to raise more than £20,000 and she has already got off to a flying start with donations from businesses for a raffle.

Linda said: "The first event will be at Waterfoot Social Club starting at 8pm and we will have entertainment and a raffle and it will be just the start of events which last 18 months.

"I have already been round collecting donations from businesses and a lot of the pubs have given meal vouchers to be raffled.

"The present minibus is very old and is getting to the end of its lifespan. It has spent quite a few weeks in the garage, during which time we had to hire a replacement, which cost a lot of money.

"That is why we decided to launch the appeal and I hope everyone supports it."