MORE than 70 air cadets grounded after vandals wrecked their minibus are back on the road - thanks to a lift from Southampton Airport.

Last November wreckers caused more than £1,000 damage to the 16-seater minibus that had been lovingly restored just months previously.

Yobs smashed the vehicle's windscreen, ripped out indicators, bent the windscreen wipers, tore off wing mirrors and scratched offensive graffiti on to the paintwork.

Not content with depriving the cadets of their only form of transport, vandals then repeatedly targeted the Woodside Avenue base of 1216 (Eastleigh) Squadron of the Air Training Corps during the following three months.

But despite the unrelenting attacks on the squadron - which was formed in March 1941 - leaders vowed that the vandals would not beat them.

Now the minibus - which the squadron relies on for transport to training sessions and community events around Eastleigh - has been fully repaired, thanks to funding from the airport's charity committee and help from commercial vehicle firm Adams Morey.

Airfield operations assistant at Southampton Airport Linda Rogers is also the air cadets' training officer and, together with the squadron, has been working on fundraising initiatives since November.

But efforts to repair the minibus were boosted when the airport's charity committee helped match the funds raised by the air cadets.

Commanding officer of the squadron Dave Barker said: "We are so pleased that Southampton Airport has helped to get our minibus back on the road.

"The minibus is vital for us to attend essential training sessions and events. We have the extra bonus of maintenance and servicing from Adams Morey, so we are looking forward to a

reliable year of motoring ahead."

Southampton Airport operations director Joan Fletcher said: "We are delighted to support our local air cadets and, in doing so, help one of our members of staff in their community activities.

"It's great to see that, with our funds and in partnership with Adams Morey, we have helped to get their important transport link back in service.

"The Eastleigh air cadets are great ambassadors for aviation and we are proud to support their activities."