A bus driver from the Gloucestershire region will be representing Stagecoach West at this year's Bus Driver of the Year Awards.

Anthony Quinn from Gloucester triumphed in Stagecoach West's 'Best in the West' selection competition and will go forward to the Grand National Final to be held in Blackpool in October.

The selection competition held by bus operator Stagecoach West saw drivers compete against each other in a variety of tasks including three challenge courses, a theory test and an obstacle course designed to put their driving skills to the test.

Rachel Geliamassi, managing director, Stagecoach West said: "Congratulations to Anthony who I just know is going to make us proud at the Bus Driver of the Year Awards National Final. We pride ourselves on our rigorous driver training and customer service so I'm sure he's going to do very well! We're all rooting for him and wish him all the very best."

Bus Driver of the Year participants will have to compete against drivers from some of the UK's largest operators in a number of driving and theory challenges, in the hope of scooping the fiercely contested accolade.

Joe Mackie, Bus Driver of the Year chair, said: "The competition is the ideal opportunity for operators to present their best drivers to the public and to afford them the chance to win valuable prizes and claim the accolade of UK Bus Driver of the Year.

"Not only will the 2022 National Final mark a return to normality, but it will enable operators to reward staff who have shown commendable levels of professionalism at a time of extreme difficulties."

The National Finals of Bus Driver of the Year will be held in Blackpool on 1st and 2nd October.

Anthony started with Stagecoach in July 2009 at the Cheltenham depot where he worked for several years before transferring to Gloucester garage. In the past Tony has been a regular on routes 10, 97, 98 and Cirencester College but more recently is a familiar face on Gloucester City routes 1, 8 & 12.