RESIDENTS at a Blackbird Leys care home are celebrating a resounding success after raising £500 towards their minibus fund at a summer fete.

Local families and councillors attended the event at Longlands Care Home, Balfour Road, which was opened by Blackbird Leys Parish Council chairman Gordon Roper.

All proceeds went towards a £13,000 wheelchair-adapted bus the home would like to buy so residents can go on trips.

Traditional activities on the day included a tombola and guess the weight of a cake stood alongside a barbecue, clothes and jewellery stalls.

Members of local elderly social group Friendleys were also present, with keen gardener Reginald Curnock selling vegetables from his allotment.

Visitors were also captivated by the presence of 12-year-old Flash, a vast tortoise brought along by one of the staff members.

Activities co-ordinator Angela Lindsay said she believed the total raised by Longlands for its vehicle since last year was now at about £5,500.

She said: "It was a lovely day. The tortoise was massive; one of our ladies spent the whole three hours with him.

"We had fewer stalls than we have ever had, but we made more money than we have ever made from a fete."