PENSIONERS have been left stranded after the theft of a vital charity minibus.

The lifeline 15-seater vehicle was used to take around 90 pensioners in Horsforth on shopping trips, to church or to day centres.

The minibus was stolen from outside the home of John Hardcastle, co-ordinator and volunteer driver for the Horsforth Minibus Trust Fund.

He said: "The theft is devastating, I'm just as upset as the ladies we drive around.

"The minibus allows them to go to the shops and to church. Not only that, it's like a social gathering - I usually have to drive slower because they are using the time on the bus to have a chat."

The bus collects the pensioners from their door and drops them there afterwards, and drivers help the ladies with their shopping if needs be.

"Some of the ladies need a lot of help which they might not get from taxi drivers.

"Also, we only charge 60p to cover the diesel costs, but a taxi would be much more. The ladies would miss out on the social aspect then, as well.

"I feel absolutely awful for them. I don't think I'd feel so bad if it was my own car, but so many of the women rely on the service. I feel very bad about it.

"I saw one of the ladies the other day popping to her corner shop, I just felt so awful because she probably paid higher prices and had a struggle getting there."

The bus is also used by members of the Woodside Methodist Church every Sunday.

The white Ford Transit, registration K874 GWF, was stolen from Mr Hardcastle's drive in St James Walk, Horsforth around midnight on Monday last week (September 24).

Mr Hardcastle said: "I kept hoping that whoever stole it would drive around until it ran out of fuel and then the police would find it and we'd get it back, but that looks unlikely now.

"I don't understand why anyone would want the bus, it is a bit old and battered.

"If somebody wanted a prestige vehicle it's certainly not that and if someone wanted to joyride it wouldn't go very fast," he said.

Mr Hardcastle is hoping to be able to borrow a minibus from somewhere because there are not sufficient funds to hire or buy a new vehicle.

The Asda supermarket at Pudsey has approached Mr Hardcastle with an offer of the use of their minibus, but he has been told that the use may be limited.

Their bus can definitely be used on Sundays for Woodside Methodist members and possibly some other days.

A list of times the Horsforth group need the bus will be sent to Asda to see if they can come to some arrangement.

Mr Hardcastle is appealing for anyone who has seen the stolen bus to call the police.

l If anyone has a bus the group can use they should call Mr Hardcastle on (0113) 2587451.