A grandfather who grabbed the wheel of a bus after the driver blacked out said last night that he had never driven before.

James Burton, 62, sprang into action yesterday after noticing the driver slump forward at the wheel, causing the bus, carrying eight passengers, to swerve off course near Newcastle's Redheugh Bridge.

Mr Burton, who was on the bus with his 26-year-old daughter, Lisa, and two grandchildren, leaned over the driver and took control of the vehicle. He steered it past a bus stop and up an embankment where it came to a halt overlooking the busy A184.

Speaking at his home in Swan Drive, Dunston, Gateshead, Mr Burton said: "I saw the bus driver lying towards his left-hand side, but just thought he was picking something up.

"I then heard some cars tooting their horns and the bus started to swerve. I went across to the driver and he had passed out.

"One older woman was crying and thinking it was going to crash.

"I just grabbed the wheel. I have never driven before in my life and, after this, I never really want to have to drive again."

Mr Burton revealed how one woman passenger came up to him after the drama and said: "I'm pleased you were on the bus, you saved my life."

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said: "Mr Burton helped avert what could have been a serious accident."

Mr Burton's daughter, Lisa, said: "He definitely saved everyone's lives and I'm really proud of him."

The driver of the bus recovered after Mr Burton had stopped the bus and radioed his depot for help.

Mr Burton, a father of three, retired from his labouring job years ago to look after his sick wife Margaret, who is 62.

He added: "I was quite shaken at the time and to be honest I am still shaking now."