WHEN vandals wrecked a school’s beloved reading bus, pupils feared their dream of having a Harry Potter-themed vehicle was ruined.

But the project is now back on board after a Hampshire bus company stepped in to help.

The Harry Potter-themed Knight Bus has made its debut at Blackfield Primary School after Bluestar waved its magic wand.

As previously reported children were devastated when their reading bus was vandalised.

Thieves lit fires in the playground, smashed windows, broke toys and destroyed the inside of the bus causing £20,000 of repair.

They held a festival to help raise money to pay for the damage and now they are celebrating the arrival of a new reading bus.

The double decker will be kept on site and used by pupils at quiet reading time.

Bluestar’s depot engineer Dave Vivier said: “We’re always on the lookout for ways to help and support the local community here in Southampton.

“This is a great opportunity to do just that.

“We were able to donate one of our older buses, and it’s an absolute pleasure to be able to help the school turn its original dream of a Harry Potter-themed bus into a reality.

“I’d like to thank Brenhaul Commercials for removing the old bus, and Fuhrmann Signs who produced and fitted the bus logos – all free-of-charge.

“This was a great team effort.”

Head teacher Tariq Sasso added: “Along with the incredible help from everyone at Bluestar, Aeropark Development has also helped hugely by laying reinforced concrete and making the playground ready for the bus to be located on.

“Also, our brilliant PTA – The Friends of Blackfield – have been instrumental in seeing this project through for the last two years.

“With this huge community effort, we will have something truly inspiring for our children to further develop a love of reading.”