A CHARITY involved in community life in Alresford has held a reception to celebrate a donation from a former Mayor of Winchester.

New Alresford Town Trust, which runs a minibus service and looks after the Eel House, organised the gathering at the Swan Hotel on Sunday and received a cheque from Ernie Jeffs, the mayor last year.

The mayor and mayoress, Barbara, raised £42,000 and presented a cheque for £915 for the trust's minibus.

Cllr Jeffs said the minibus was a godsend to the elderly and disabled community in Alresford and praised Pam Stevens who has organised the service for the last seven years.

There were speeches from Mark Chaloner, Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for the Winchester constituency, and Liberal Democrat councillor Simon Cook, a former minibus driver.

Trust chairman Robin Atkins said such donations were vital to keep down fares which has stayed the same since 2012.