Two Lothian bus drivers are celebrating being named the second and third best bus drivers of the year at the UK Bus Driver of the Year finals held in Blackpool on Sunday.

Gary Black (Lothian Buses) and Thomas Gilhooley (East Coast Buses) finished second and third respectively, with Gary also scooping prizes for Best Driver from a Scottish Depot and Best Placed Finisher by an ALBUM (Association of Local Bus Company Managers) Member.

There were 119 drivers from all over the UK taking part in a series of tests on Sunday (September 3), including a two-mile road drive through the iconic seaside town, and a highway code and theory test.

This year marked the 55th year of the competition.

Lothian held its own local competition in May of this year at Ingliston, with Gary, Thomas and John O’Hara going through to the national final where they took on the best of the best from other operators across the country.

Willie Hamilton, operations director for Lothian, said: “We are thrilled that two of our drivers have finished in the top three at the UK Bus Driver of the Year finals.

“The final is a fiercely contested affair, with the competition fought in the best possible spirit between all the drivers. I would like to congratulate Gary, Thomas and John for their excellent performances over the weekend.

“Their success is a testament to their talent and skill, but also our amazing driving teams and incredible in-house training school.”