Bradford people will still be able to enjoy the city's classic buses - thanks to a Telegraph & Argus campaign.

The Keighley Bus Museum Trust, which backed the T&A Save Our Classic Buses Appeal, has bought nine classic vehicles which have strong local links.

Last week, the group secured the loan of the last trolleybus in the country to run in public service. It is owned by from The West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

The West Yorkshire Tran-sport Museum Society, which launched a rival bid, acquired a Ford Thames Duple Coach.

In all the appeal has saved 11 historic vehicles. But there are still at least six vehicles - including a local tower wagon and a tram donated from Hungary - that will go under the hammer in an auction at Transperience Discovery Park in Low Moor next Thursday.

The vehicles, museum exhibits and office and workshop equipment are being sold to recoup a £1million debt run up the troubled park.

The vehicles which were bought in the deal struck by the Keighley Bus Museum Trust yesterday are:

a 1927 Leyland Lion single deck bus

a 1969 Leyland PD3 double deck trolley bus

a 1951 Bristol LL5G single deck bus

a 1965 Daimler CVG6 double deck bus

a 1964 AEC Regent 5 double decker bus

1966 and 1967 Daimler Fleetline double deck buses

a 1962 Leyland Leopard single deck bus and a AEC Matador commercial vehicle recovery truck.

Solicitor Nigel Ward for the trust said: "We have acquired the buses with the help of the Heritage Lottery, Bradford Council and the Science Museum and we exchanged contracts yesterday afternoon."

Delighted campaigner Gra-ham Mitchell said: "We could not have achieved this without the support of certain people including Councillor Barry Thorne and the Telegraph & Argus."

He added: "We believed we fulfilled our duties by keeping the core collection of buses in the region, together and make them accessible to the public."

Keighley MP Ann Cryer said it had been a hard and determined effort by campaigners.

"We all deserve a pat on the back and it does not stop here. We now have to show the people of West Yorkshire that they have an enviable transport heritage," she said.

Councillor Thorne, chairman of the Bradford Council Leisure Services Committee, revealed that the Council pledged £9,500 to support the appeal. Half of the sum went towards buying the buses, the remainder will be used for the maintenance of the buses.

Coun Stanley King (Con, Heaton) said he was delighted with the result.

"These vehicles have a local connection and will be able to provide pleasure to the people of Keighley and Bradford.

"It is sad that they had to be dispersed but it is good that the buses will remain in the area.

Batley and Spen Labour MP Mike Wood said: "I am happy that a group of the buses have been saved. But I am still concerned that the remaining vehicles may end up away from West Yorkshire.

"Many of these vehicles were donated to Transperience and it would be sad to see them go."

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