CAMPAIGNERS for a minibus for Timberscombe suffered a double disappointment.

Not only did they lose out to another charity in the bid for Big Lottery funding, but the video explaining their appeal and telling people how to vote was not shown in their ITV region.

John Goodall, chairman of the Orchard Social Club in Timberscombe, who applied for the funding, said while he was upset at losing he was more upset at how ITV had handed the situation.

He said: “I feel the way I’ve been treated so far has been appalling.

“I’ve asked the people at the Big Lottery to send us all the documentation so far, and I’ve contact ITV, so as soon as I hear back I’m going to get the ball rolling.”

Mr Goodall applied for a grant of £49,768 earlier this year from The People’s Millions – a grants programme run by the Big Lottery Fund in partnership with ITV.

The video explaining what John wanted was shown on ITV West Country West, which airs to Devon and Cornwall, when it the group says it should have been shown on ITV West Country East, which airs in Somerset.

John said: “No one from ITV even told us we’d lost. 

“I’d asked people to join me in Timberscombe village hall for a little gathering to find out the result, and someone from ITV rang me in the morning to say they’d be along.

“Later that day the group we were up against from Cornwall rang me to say we’d lost, and it wasn’t until much later that day that ITV told me they then wouldn’t be coming along.

“I’ve had so much support from everyone, so thank you.

“I’m trying to get to the bottom of this and see what I can do.”

The minibus would have enabled people, groups and schools from Timberscombe and the surrounding area to get out and about.

County Cllr Justine Baker said: “It was upsetting that they didn’t win and I’m bitterly disappointed.

“The work John put into this is astounding – he’s a true local champion for his community and they are lucky to have him.”

A spokesman for ITV and The Big Lottery Fund said: “Through the process of applying to The People’s Millions projects are responsible for choosing the ITV region they’ll be shown in.

“Out and About chose to be in the Westcountry West region.”