A fleet of buses dating from 1948 to the present day is touring the region to raise cash for a worthy cause.

And the Reporter Series is proud to be the official sponsor of the event, which is being organised by bus driver Tony Salmon.
On Sunday May 17 the procession will visit bus stations and depots in Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Wakefield, Castleford and Selby.

It will be a fantastic opportunity for bus enthusiasts to visit areas that are usually not open to the public. Nostalgia fans can also take a look around the vintage vehicles and some, including a 1952 Leyland Tiger, will be available for rides.

All proceeds will be donated to the Sick Children's Trust, a charity which supports the families of children being treated in hospitals across the UK.

Tony, from Dewsbury, and his family discovered the valuable work the trust does when his daughter Bethany, now six, was diagnosed with a rare liver condition.

Bethany, a Reporter Series Champion Child, was in and out of St James's Hospital in Leeds for years before finally receiving a liver transplant in January.

The Sick Children's Trust runs Eckersley House, a home-from-home for the families of ill children in the grounds of St James's. Tony and his family were invited to use it as a base during Bethany's spells in hospital.

Tony said: "It meant we were going through this as a family. In hospitals where they don't have this facility, one parent stays in hospital while the other stays at home. It splits the family down the middle.

"The staff at Eckersley House are absolutely brilliant. Nothing is too much trouble for them. They don't get any government aid, it's all raised through voluntary donations and fundraising."

The tour begins at 10am at Dewsbury bus station and returns there at 5.30pm. Places on the tour are £5 and must be booked in advance. There will also be a raffle to win Arriva memorabilia.

For more information and to book tickets, visit www.arrivatour.co.uk, email lateturnrota@aol.com or phone 01924 511458.