A NEW blue bus in Chandler's Ford could be blazing a trail in an effort to beat the parking mayhem found outside dozens of schools across the county.

But besides providing an alternative to taking children to school by car, The Knightwood Community Bus is also set to provide vital transport opportunities for community groups.

The bus, owned by Knightwood Primary School and run by Eastleigh Community Services, is the first experiment of its kind in the county.

Developers of the huge Knightwood section of the Valley Park estate were required to put up £125,000 to provide a bus for the new £1.4 million primary school in Bellflower Way which could also be used in the community.

Hampshire's first new millennium school, which opened earlier this year, was originally designed with a transport policy designed at encouraging people not to use their cars.

Now, the school has taken delivery of a brand new 15-seater LDV - which is fully accessible for wheelchairs - and has entered into an agreement with Eastleigh Community Services to manage the vehicle.

Driver Steve Hurst and passenger assistant Caroline Flood already make two school runs around the vast estate to take children to school in the mornings and another two trips at the end of the school day.

Head teacher Chris Nuttall said the vehicle would also be used for school outings, swimming trips and sports fixtures and added: "It has already cut down the horrendous parking problems that we have here.

"The more parents see it and the more children talk about it, the more use is being made of the bus. The children love it because it is giving them a bit of independence."

But she added that the school was also keen to encourage community use of the bus which was available most days between 10am and 1pm, plus in the evenings and at weekends.

"The funding will only finance the project for five years so we have to generate enough revenue to continue it beyond then.

"I know a lot of people within Hampshire County Council and other schools are watching us closely and I think it could be an example that other schools might follow. It was frightening to begin with but it is very exciting."

Head of transport for Eastleigh Community Services Paul Rollison said he hoped to be able to encourage groups of senior citizens to book the bus for trips into Eastleigh and to provide transport to luncheon clubs.

But he added: "All community groups have to do to use the bus is contact us on 023 8090 2414. Most school buses lie idle and are not fully accessible for wheelchairs, but we are planning to use this one to its full potential."