A BUS driver had a shock when he turned up for work and found a huge picture of himself on the back of the number 60.

Trevor Owen was proclaimed Top National Bus Driver in the UK Bus Awards and his bosses at Stephensons, based in Rochford, arranged for his achievement to be proudly proclaimed on the back of one of his regular routes in Southend.

Alongside the message is a larger-than-life picture of Mr Owen holding his trophy.

Mr Owen, who has worked for Stephensons for nearly three years, started working on the buses in 1980 and often drives service 60 between Southend and Canewdon. He said: “I was gobsmacked when I came in and saw the bus with me on it!

“It’s especially great to be 10ft tall, but people are starting to ask for my autograph when I go out shopping, which can be a trifle irritating.”

To win the coveted award, entrants needed to go the extra mile to be helpful, friendly and conscientious.

He was nominated by his regular customers, and then subject to assessment by a UK Bus Awards mystery traveller.

More than 70 public nominations for the award were received from across the UK, and Mr Owen was selected from a shortlist of six finalists.

Stephensons managing director Bill Hiron said: “Trevor is a worthy champion, and both the company and his work colleagues are delighted at his win.

“This seemed a fitting way of celebrating his success, and reminding people locally of his outstanding achievement.”

Stephensons runs 75 buses from three depots in Essex and one in Suffolk.