PASSENGERS are being asked to nominate their favourite bus driver.

Go North-East is asking people who ride its buses to vote to find its driver of the year.

The company said it invests time and effort in driver training, with an emphasis on customer care, but it believes its passengers' views count the most.

Commercial director Martin Harris said: "We know there are drivers who have been prepared to go over and above the line of duty to help customers, even those who have had to cope with quite traumatic incidents while putting passengers first.

"We're sure there must be many passengers out there who would like to say a big thank you to drivers who have helped them in the past year."

The passenger who makes what emerges as the winning nomination will be presented with a bottle of wine and a bouquet of flowers.

Full details on how to make nominations can be found at www.simplygo.com, or by ringing 0191-422 9217.