Ref. 73127-06CHRISTMAS may be cancelled for residents of a Swindon nursing home because of a transport mix-up.

Pensioners at Fairhaven in Old Town have been looking forward to their party for months. But manager Lynn Plumstead says she may be forced to cancel the booking with The Friary in Abbey Meads because she can't find transport for the party of 19.

Three of the residents require wheelchairs and another three can only get about using walking frames.

One of the residents, Rose Saunders thought to be the second oldest Swindonian celebrates her 105th birthday on Christmas Eve.

She said: "If I had a car I would drive everyone myself.

"I hope I don't have the disappointment of not going as this will probably be my last Christmas."

Mrs Plumstead said she contacted family-run minibus company G Line last month asking to make a booking for December 21.

She claims the company agreed in principle and asked her to confirm numbers in writing, which she did.

When she didn't receive a reply within a fortnight she phoned the company again.

They said no transport was available on that date, but offered December 14 instead.

Mrs Plumstead said she wrote another letter confirming the changed details but didn't receive notification.

Last week she contacted them again and was told that they were not in a position to guarantee the booking.

"I've tried phoning every minicab firm in Swindon, but there seems to be a shortage of minibuses with hydraulic ramps," she said.

"The Christmas party allows everybody to let their hair down and have a good time. Our residents really look forward to it."

Black taxis, which can accommodate wheelchairs, are not an option because they cannot be pre-booked.

Tony Johnson, spokesman for Hackney Carriage drivers, said: "Black cabs will not take pre-bookings unless they are on contract.

"There could also be issues concerning the wheelchairs themselves. By law we cannot accept certain types."

Another angry resident, Irvine Parry, 82, said: "I always enjoy the Christmas party. People should look after pensioners after everything we have done for this town and country."

Grace Elliott, 88, said: "I can't understood why no firms can help us. It's lovely to have a Christmas party. Everyone enjoys it. I think this is disgusting."

Jeff McGarry, manager of G Line, denied letting the pensioners down. He said: "Unfortunately in the time between her first phone call and us receiving the letter, we had a booking confirmed.

"It's a case of first come first served. We are not letting anybody down. Letting someone down would be confirming the booking and then not turning up. Bookings are only confirmed when we have sent a letter out to them.

"The trouble is that we only have two vehicles that can take this party and they may be sold by then.

"We have gone from 32 vehicles to 20 vehicles in the last couple of years."

Mr McGarry said no decision has yet been taken and suggested Mrs Plumstead tries elsewhere.

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Kevin Shoesmith