Brian Schofield, a bus driver for the past 17 years, received 60 letters of praise from customers in the past year alone which saw him land the title in an annual competition by operators First.

Brian, 43, has been chosen as First's annual Superstars winner in West Yorkshire, scooping him a £500 cash prize.

He said: "It is great to win an award but I feel lucky anyway as I work with some great people, driving round a beautiful city, helping people get to where they need to be."
Excellent

The Superstar Scheme is designed to encourage excellent customer service, and is run every year by First, West Yorkshire's biggest bus operator.

Brain, who works from First's Hunslet Park depot, was nominated as a First Bus Superstar because of his consistent quality of service to his
customers, bosses at the firm said.

Samples of the comments made by passengers included: "A very polite and helpful driver always cheerful and always considerate to the elderly.

"This driver waited for me to board after I had arrived late at the bus stop . Very pleasant to everyone on board." and "Always waits for me to sit down before setting off."

Richard Harris, Commercial Director of First in West Yorkshire, said: "In the past year we have recognised a number of different people through our Superstars scheme, and they are all great in their own way, but Brian really does stand out after going the extra mile for a number of passengers."

To find out more about First Bus' Superstar scheme log on to www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/superstars or call into a First travel shop.

Passengers nominating First Bus employees can win a month's free bus travel if their nomination is successful.