SCHOOL pupils and teachers were delighted when a long shot appeal for help to find a new library was answered by a bus company.
Children at Farfield Primary School sent handwritten letters to transport companies asking if they could buy an ex-fleet vehicle to park in the playground.
First Bus replied and a decommissioned double decker is now in place at the school in Reevy Crescent, Buttershaw, and will be ready to use as library next month.
From left, Farfield Primary School pupils Ebony Digman, Ruben Kaai, Kassie Dean, Jack Gallagher and Joshua Bentley read outside the school's new library, an old First bus
The 30791 number bus was used by First on routes around Leeds but will now be parked up outside the school's main office.
The school's original library was converted into a classroom in October 2014.
Ewan Clark, the school's business manager, said: "It was a real pleasant surprise. I'm really grateful to First for this.
Farfield Primary School pupils get a sneak peek of its unusual new library, an old First Bus
"If you don't ask, you don't get.
"The children are absolutely made up about it. You can see the excitement on their faces when they go and see it. They have been in it a couple of times already.
"They also arranged for it to be delivered free of charge.
"The bus has gone down very well with everyone so far.
"It's fantastic and hopefully it will also be used by the wider community.
One of the letters written by pupils from Farfield Primary School to bus companies appealing for a vehicle to be used as a library at the school
"We will try to keep it as a bus as much as possible and keep as many of its original features as we can.
"We have not had a dedicated library since October 2014, and were looking at our options.
"The idea of having a former bus as a library came up, schools across the country had done a similar thing."
Ewan Clark, Farfield Primary School's business manager, inside the school's new library, which is a former First Bus
Most of the original features of the bus will remain, including the electronic destination sign and the driver's cabin and steering wheel.
The school also hopes to maintain the vehicle's outside advertising boards and an air conditioning system has been fitted so ensure it can be used all year round.
The new-look library will have several hundred books and will be open to the public outside of school hours.
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A few of the vehicle's seats have been removed to give extra space inside.
Colin Brushwood, operations manager for First Bradford, said: "We're delighted to work in partnership with Farfield Primary School and provide one of our vehicles as a library facility.
From left, Mohammed Raja, staff manager from First bus, helps pupil Lilenna Wormersley with her reading at Farfield Primary School
"Our bus network connects communities across Bradford and this library initiative is an important project that is a great way to use bus vehicles that have come to the end of their normal service and provide such a useful local information hub."
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