TV hacks battle to save politics bus (From Stroud News and Journal)

TV hacks battle to save politics bus

A BBC news team had to pick up a different kind of lead as they vainly tried to jump-start their broken down election van in the centre of Stroud on Wednesday.

The crew from Points West's Politics Show were in town to interview Parliamentary candidates as part of a regional tour of hard-fought election seats.

But their stricken VW camper - nicknamed Daphne after the Scooby Doo character - had to be towed off the Shambles Market by the AA after its alternator finally gave up the ghost.

Political editor Dave Harvey, who battled to revive the 25-year-old battle newsvan, said: "The bus has had enough.

"During the election campaign we have done a grand tour of the close-fought seats - Taunton, the centre of Bristol, Swindon and Stroud.

"This was our last stop on the tour and I think she just wants to be tucked up in bed in a garage with some nice oil."

He added: "It just goes to show that not everything is stage-managed in politics."

Luckily, nearby specialist garage Dub Bitz, on Slad Road, was on hand to repair the veteran camper.

"It couldn't have happened in a better place," said Dave. "If we had been in the middle of Exmoor it would have been a complete disaster."