A REUNION for former staff of the Silver Star bus service in Salisbury was held on Saturday to mark 50 years since the closure of the company.

Silver Star Motor Services, which was later taken over by Wilts & Dorset, ran the service from Allington and Idmiston to Salisbury from Porton Down as well as moving army personnel all over the country for weekend leave.

Former members of staff met at Salisbury coach park on Saturday together with the company’s last three remaining buses, two dating from the 1950s and a double decker from the 1960s, which were all restored by Jack Parsons.

Eddie Cannings, 81, who worked for the company for 11 years, said: “It’s absolutely fantastic. Silver Star was like a family.”

And Brian Thorne, 80, added: “It’s unbelievable. I’ve driven all three of them and it’s a wonderful feeling when you see them back together again.”

The former bus workers took a trip past the Market Place before taking the journey to Rollestone Camp on Salisbury Plain and then Idmiston Memorial Hall for tea and cake.

“It was a really good day,” said organiser Steve Webster. “And it was really nice to have the three vehicles together again.”