AN engine donated by a Kidderminster company is now being put to use in a school bus for the deaf in West Africa.

Last summer, the Shuttle/Times & News reported that First Bus Company had donated an engine to Malcolm Garner, of Bewdley, to be shipped to St John's School for the Deaf in Serrekunda, Gambia.

Mr Garner said that thanks to the generosity of several individuals and businesses the engine was delivered in "full working order" to Gambia at no cost to the school.

The former teacher explained it involved the building of a crate and the preparation of the engine for shipment, the two-week shipping journey itself and "numerous" port, handling and local delivery charges.

The local mechanic had fitted the engine successfully, said Mr Garner, after he recently visited the school to see the engine in use and report on its progress.

He added: "It is probably the most overloaded bus anywhere. It is designed to seat 27 people but I gave up counting when more than 85 pupils and a few members of staff crowded on board each morning and afternoon."

He went on: "The bus handled the enormous load with no problem at all, though the same may not be true for too long of the bus's suspension."

Mr Garner said a replacement bus or even a second bus might be needed at some point in the future. He explained it could be driven the 4,000-mile journey to the school, as the present bus was, four years ago.

He added: "For now though, through fantastic generosity, the deaf children of Serrekunda and the surrounding area can, once again, get to school and access the education that they so greatly need."