AN older person's organisation has chosen their bus driver of the year.

John Mullarkey, 53, who lives on Ermine Close, Highercroft, was awarded bus driver of the year 2017 in the Blackburn with Darwen older people’s forum awards.

The nominees for the awards are based on how helpful and cheery the bus driver is and they are then recommended by staff and members of the general public to the forum for nomination.

When John, a former pub landlord, found out he had been nominated he said he was ‘shocked’ because he thought he was just doing his job.

John, originally from London who has been married to his wife Emma for 25 years, said: “At the time I just thought I couldn’t believe this.

“I’m getting an award for doing my job.

“When my manager told me I was nominated I said to him ‘you’re just having me on aren’t you?'

“I was stunned by it and even more shocked when I actually picked up the award.

“My peers are chuffed and it’s good for the company because it gives them a good name.

“My wife and three boys were equally chuffed and very proud of me.

“Each time they say ‘it’s about time’ as each year I make my passengers smile, particularly when I drive around as Santa Claus during the festive season.”

The father-of-three, who work as a bus driver at Blackburn’s Private Hire company, formerly worked as a pub landlord in the borough.

Now since giving up pulling pints, he has worked as a bus driver for 13 years, which included spells with Darwen Coaches last year before he transferred to Blackburn Private Company five months ago.

He said: “I decided to stop running a pub when the smoking ban came in because it became too difficult.

“Fortunately I had a lot of customers who were bus drivers who got me into the job.

“I look at bus driving the same way as running a pub.

“You meet and greet people and have a laugh and a joke.

“I’m not the type to be stuck in a warehouse. I like to get out and meet people.

“I love the old girls because if they are lonely then they get to talk to someone.

“You get to know them on your travels.

“When I’m driving the bus I like to look after them and make sure sitting down before I’m drive off and help them with their big bags if need it."