A YORK transport charity has made a major move forward by becoming a limited company.

The directors of York Wheels opted to make the important decision in the evolution of the charity as the charity continues to grow.

"Last year we made 26,280 journeys around York," said York Wheels chairwoman Coun Ruth Potter.

"We are a social enterprise, a significant organisation, and we need to be run in a way that reflects what we do."

The organisation, which provides community transport for the elderly and people with mobility problems, will now be run by a board of directors made up of staff, volunteers and customers.

It will remain a charity and have access to grants from businesses and organisations.

"We are still fundraising for our minibus, for which we recently received generous support from the Evening Press and the Gannett group, which we are very grateful for, and which will help us towards our aims," said Coun Potter. "It's just grown and grown," said customer and director Rosemary Cawood.

"I am on the management committee, and am very pleased to see the service doing so well, it is so important to so many people.

"Without York Wheels I wouldn't be able to do my charity work for Age Concern, I just would not be able to afford it."

Updated: 10:25 Friday, June 13, 2003