A PENSIONER was given the ultimate bus pass for his 70th birthday when he was allowed to take the wheel of a full-sized coach.

John Crombie's family arranged the surprise drive after he told them he had wanted to do it all his life.

The retired boss of a milk packing business, who lives in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, impressed bus company bosses with his skill.

His son, Stewart, 41, arranged the adventure, which took place at a bus rally at the MetroCentre on Sunday.

He and his sister, Jackie, were the only passengers in the 12-metre training bus, apart from Go North East training instructor Michael Handy.

Stewart Crombie said: "Dad has some unusual ambitions and one of them was to drive a bus.

"I always have problems trying to decide what to get him for Christmas and birthdays and wanted to do something special for his 70th."

More than 3,000 people were at the rally but Mr Crombie was the only one invited to take a bus for a spin.

He said: "It was a wonderful experience, fulfilling a lifetime's ambition. It was a complete surprise and I enjoyed the whole thing."

Mr Handy said: "We were delighted to give John the opportunity to fulfil his dream. He took to driving the bus with ease and drove extremely well."

Mr Crombie, who lives with his wife, Lilian, and retired ten years ago after 40 years in the dairy industry, was presented with a certificate by the company.

He is an active member of Bishop Auckland Golf Club and has been learning to play the clarinet.

Last month, he achieved another lifelong dream when he cruised along the Panama Canal, in Central America.