A BUS company has had a second vehicle seized by police after it was found to have no insurance.

A female passenger was left stranded after the bus, operated by Darwen Coach Services, was removed from the road yesterday morning.

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It comes just two months after a 66-year-old man was found to be driving a bus without a valid licence or insurance.

That man no longer works for Darwen Coach Services and police said the bus involved in that incident has since been crushed.

The company will now face an inspection by the Driving Vehicle Standards Agency with the possibility of having its operating licence revoked.

Darwen Coach Services transport manager Peter Graham said the lack of insurance was down to a clerical error and apologised for any inconvenience caused.

He also said his firm had ‘nothing to hide’ and said inspectors were free to come any time to inspect maintenance records and vehicle paperwork.

Mr Graham, who said the company had been trading for 30 years, said: “It was a mistake on my behalf.

“I have got to put each individual registration on the insurance policy and I have failed to do that with this one bus.

“I thought we would get a 14-day grace period to put the registration on the system but the police don’t see it as that.

“I have got nothing to hide.

“We had our full fleet checked two months ago and the paperwork checked and it all passed with flying colours.

“I apologise for any convenience caused and we tried to arrange alternative transport for the customer affected.

“After an exemplary record of more than 30 years I am fearful this negative publicity is going to have an impact on the business.”

Police said they stopped the number 38 Darwen to Belmont bus in Bolton Road, Lower Darwen, at 9.30am during vehicle checks as part of their annual drink-driving campaign.

The force, which is backing the Lancashire Telegraph’s ‘Stop the Madness Campaign’, has carried out checks throughout East Lancashire over the past two weeks and has warned they will continue to do so into the New Year.

During that period they have taken 53 vehicles off the road until defects were fixed, seized four vehicles for no insurance, recovered one stolen vehicle and prosecuted 18 people for a range of motoring offences including speeding, not wearing seatbelts and use of mobile phones.

A total of 448 breathalyser tests have also been carried out but none were failed.

Insp Abid Khan said: “This is unacceptable behaviour.

“Clearly the bus company has not learned its lesson.

“They have not only put their passengers in danger but other road users.

“This should act as a message to others and we will look to deal with them in the appropriate way.

“If that means a prosecution and revoking their license then we will work with out partners to achieve that.”

Sgt Craig Jarrett warned the checks would continue into the New Year and said there was a particular issue in the Blackburn with Darwen area with motorists using their mobile phones.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s transport boss, Cllr Phil Riley, said: “I really would hope that companies which ferry around the public on public transport would take more care to make sure their vehicles are right to be on the road.

“We will be looking in to this and taking the appropriate action.”