Television personality provided the wow factor at school bus handover

TELEVISION personality Leslie Crowther answered the cry of “come on down” at a Stretton school in December 1985.

The host of the smash-hit series The Price is Right took a break from filming in Nottingham to hand over a new minibus at the Bitham Lane School.

Mr Crowther was attending on behalf of the Variety Club to present the school with what was dubbed “a sunshine coach”.

The £10,300 14-seater minibus was bought after a joint effort involving Tutbury glass firm Webb Ivory, the Variety Club, the school and the Friends of Bitham Lane School.

Head teacher Anthony Tunstall said: “The school put £3,000 towards the bus and we were helped by local pubs including the Victoria Inn, the New Inn of Stapenhill and the Compasses Inn.

“We were also helped by the Burton Consolidated Charity and donations from local people.”

The Bitham Lane School coach was the second to be part-funded by Webb Ivory through its president Frank Kerry.

Mr Kerry was a longstanding member of the Variety Club.

Mr Crowther was mobbed by pupils on his arrival and before handing over the keys he took some children for a spin around the school grounds.

Mr Crowther said: “It’s lovely.

“I cannot remember how long I have been involved with the Variety Club but it is many years.

“The charity does raise a tremendous amount of money.”