A VITAL charity which transports hundreds of vulnerable people in Inverclyde every day has a new bus on the road and a new sponsor on board.

The Inverclyde Voluntary Council of Social Services has unveil a new specially adapted minibus - with another two on the way.

Despite funding difficulties the voluntary organisation is managing to maintain a 23-strong fleet.

Now they have signed up long-standing family firm Still Pharmacy as a new sponsor.

Chairman David Terrey said: "We are delighted to be working with Still Pharmacy.

"It is such a great boost to have them as sponsors.

"We rely on this kind of support and there are a number of organisations and local business who continue to support us.

The charity says new minibuses in the pipeline make it easier to attract voluntary drivers.

Secretary Jim Sinclair added: "It is also important to keep our fleet maintained and replace vehicles."

The charity is currently looking at ways of attracting more funding after its main grant from Inverclyde Council was cut in half because of budget pressures.

The 30-strong team of voluntary drivers give up their own time to help transport youngsters to Craigmarloch School and take adults to the Fitzgerald Centre, among other local facilities.

Still Pharmacy - who have recently invested £600,000 to move from the demolished Cumberland Walk shopping arcade to a purpose built unit in Burns Square - say they were delighted to step in.

Pharmacist Lyndsay Cowell said: "It is the best move we have ever made moving to Burns Square.

"We have doubled our customer base.

"We wanted to find a way to give back to the community and my mum, who is 87-years-old, told us about the organisation and we wanted to help.

"We really are delighted to help."

The IVCSS also recently received a £25,000 grant from Inverclyde Council's grants to voluntary organisations scheme to continue with their vital work.