Dedicated bus drivers who go that extra mile to care for their customers have been recognised in the fourth annual Stagecoach West Customer Service Awards.

They were picked after the bus company received more than 230 commendations from customers who were impressed by the polite and helpful attitude of the drivers.

The top award, Stagecoach West Customer Service Driver of the Year 2018, was presented to Swindon driver Gurnam Singh at the special awards dinner at the De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel.

Gurnam has been with the company for less than two years but has been described by customers as "a credit to Stagecoach" with an amazing attitude where nothing is ever too much trouble.

From assisting the elderly to making conversation with all passengers, he makes a considerable difference to every customer's day with his warm and patient manner. To mark his outstanding achievement, Gurnam's picture will now be displayed on the back of one of the Swindon buses.

Dubbed the "friendly and kind bus driver," by his customers, Simon Crumpler from Gloucester was presented with the runner-up award.

Simon is happy to help customers with bus enquiries and greets every passenger with a bright and cheery hello. He has been described as an "absolute treasure."

Stagecoach West also presented special Customer Service pin badges to drivers:

Simon Turner, Swindon; Niculae Lordache, Swindon; Antony Quinn, Gloucester; Angela Ramsden, Cheltenham; Mike Davis, Stroud; Tomasz Dudziak, Swindon; Ben Davis, Cheltenham; Daniel Mace, Stroud; Antony Whyte, Swindon; Laurence Blackshaw, Cheltenham; Krysztof Hryhorczuk, Cheltenham; Helen West, Swindon; Kryzysztof Kotas, Cheltenham; Daniel Irwin, Swindon; Dawn Hodges, Cheltenham; Peter Cox, Swindon; Herbie Nabassa, Swindon and Amber King, Cheltenham.

Stagecoach West Managing Director Rupert Cox, who presented the awards, said: "Stagecoach West has had a really positive year in terms of recognition of the customer service that we provide.

"Passenger Focus, an independent body, complete a huge passenger survey every year and in 2017 found that not only are 91 per cent of customers satisfied with the service that we provide, we are also considered to be one of the top five of areas in England for overall customer satisfaction.

"As the Managing Director of Stagecoach West, I could not be prouder of the drivers who have received these well-deserved awards."