Bus enthusiast gets VIP treatment for prom

A bus enthusiast had "the best time of his life" when his local service gave him and his family a free personalised lift to his school prom.

Sam, 16, has been a bus spotter from an early age and his grandad was a diesel engineer for trentbarton for 28 years.

The bus company worked with mum, Gemma, to surprise Sam and take him to his Heanor Gate Spencer Academy leavers' party at Pride Park Stadium.

"We had party lights, music, a disco ball and it was amazing - we had the best time of our lives," said Sam.

In October, Gemma met trentbarton staff at a sixth form open evening and asked if it was possible to organise a personalised bus for her son's prom.

"I just said, 'I want to sort something that my son will remember for the rest of his life'," she said, and stressed that she was willing to pay for the one-off service.

The company was keen to fulfil her "wacky idea" and provided the whole experience free of charge, including decorations.

She admitted it was difficult keeping the special transport arrangements a secret from her son until the day of the prom, on Friday.

Sam waited at his usual bus stop, and was shocked to discover the bus that pulled around the corner displayed his name.

"It was just out of this world, because I thought I was just going to catch a normal H1 bus to Derby Bus Station," said Sam.

"All my friends were like, 'how did you get a bus? I wanted to come on the bus with you'," he added.

"Everyone was just amazed and clapped when I pulled up and I got out of the bus."

Scarlet McCourt, from trentbarton, said: "When we had the chance to help make Sam's prom extra special, we were only too happy to get involved.

"Seeing his excitement and helping bring a long-held dream to life was a wonderful experience for our team."

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