A BUS-MAD lad’s letter to the managing director of a travel company asking for a job as a driver has landed him a plum role.

Eleven-year-old schoolboy Peter Witham wrote to bus firm Go North East asking for his dream job and was chosen to officially launch the firm’s new £1.7m IndiGo bus service in east Durham.

Peter, from Sunderland, told bus boss Kevin Carr in his letter: “My dream job is to work for Go North East. I am saving up to take my car test at 17. I am route learning. I am customer focussed. I am very polite. I would always go the extra mile for customers and be a careful driver.”

Armed with a pair of scissors and dressed in his own bus driver uniform, Peter this morning (Monday, August 10) cut the ribbon to declare the 14 brand new IndiGo buses officially open for business at Crimdon Dene.

The new service has been designed to upgrade the standard and quality of bus travel in the east Durham area.

Peter was thrilled with his new temporary position and said: “I can’t believe it, I am so happy. I love buses so much. I have been on buses a lot ever since I was a baby and I go on the bus to visit my nana.

“I have wanted to write to Go North East for ages to ask about becoming a driver but I never thought I’d get a reply. My dad said I should write to them because you never know.

“My bedroom is full of Go North East stuff; I’ve done drawings of all their buses and I have bus models as well. My favourite bus was the Simplicity but now my favourite is the Indigo.”

Managing director at Go North East Kevin Carr was touched by the boy's interest in his company.

He said: “This letter really made me smile when it landed on my desk. It's fantastic to see such enthusiasm in someone so young.

“We thought it was only right to give Peter an important role in the bus company he loves so much.

“And, of course, we will keep his application for the bus driver job on file until he’s 18 and a suitable position becomes available.”