A VETERAN Leominster bus driver who has helped raise thousands of pounds for local charities over "donkeys' years" is celebrating his best year yet.

Ted Vaughan, 71, of Godiva Road, Leominster is made of sterling stuff. He is still driving his bus after more than 40 years - and loving it. (He's reduced his hours but still does a five-day week).

On two evenings a week, come rain or shine, he sets off to run village whist and bingo sessions.

The gatherings have proved be a nice little earner for local good causes. Ted, a widower, can't remember precisely how long he's been at it - "for donkeys' years" he says.

But it is a fact that he has been running the bingo (he is the caller) at Kingsland's Coronation Hall for more than 30 years.

There has always been a charity bonus and this year's payout of £2,600 raised at the Monday evening bingo sessions was the best yet.

The County Air Ambulance, Herefordshire Heart Foundation and Hereford Hospice Nursing Fund each gained £600. The Acorns Hospice and Kingsland hall funds each had £400.

On Thursday evenings Pembridge-born Ted, who loves to keep in touch with his old village, turns up early to put the chairs and tables out at Pembridge Village Hall.

The whist drives he has run there for about 15 years also generate good sums for charity.

Ted realises he may have to take a back seat at some stage but is worried that there is a lack of younger people to take over. Younger folk should try whist, he says. "You enjoy meeting people and it's a great past-time - good for the brain."