A BUS driver and driving instructor from Barrow are celebrating after clocking up 20 years of service.

Terry Wright and Frank Schofield were among 30 Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire employees who were rewarded for their time with the company.

The group, with a combined 811 years of service between them, were recognised at a ceremony at the Low Wood Bay Hotel in Windermere.

“It was great getting the award and a really good night," said Terry, a driver working out of the Barrow depot who lives in Millom.

“I just love driving. Nine times out of 10 it’s a good day. I have been here so long now I don’t think I’ll be going anywhere until I’m old and grey!

“I love meeting the public. I always drive like I’m driving my family about, like I have got my grandkids on the bus.”

Bus driving instructor and trainer Frank Schofield, who is based at the Barrow depot and lives in the town, also received a 20 years long service award.

“We had a brilliant night at the awards," he said.

"It does show that the company cares about people who stay with them.

“I have been very fortunate because shortly after I started with Stagecoach, I got the job of driving instructor and it is total job satisfaction for me.

“We get people in from the street coming for a job and I put them through their licences, and it is very pleasing to see them at the end of the cycle and bring them into the industry.

“Over the last 12 months we have trained 34 drivers.”

Frank says he is proud of the role he and his colleagues play, serving the local community.

“Bus drivers today have more of a social role now – the driver might be one of the few people some of our elderly passengers talk to in a day, so you do have an important role as a driver,” he said.

“We very much serve the community – we transport people to Furness General for their hospital appointments, and staff who work there. And a lot of people leave their cars now and take the bus to BAE Systems, which helps the environment. And we have our regular passengers and we like to chat to them.”

Managing director Rob Jones presented them with their awards at the event on Saturday March 6.