'Unique' boy realises bus driving dream aged 15

Josh Reverill realised his dream of driving a bus

A 15-year-old boy who is "obsessed" with buses has been given the opportunity to drive one of his favourite vehicles.

Josh Reverill, from Sheffield, was given a ride to his school prom in a First double-decker earlier this month, and the bus company got back in touch with his family to offer him a day behind the wheel.

The teenager, who has autism, wants to become a bus driver when he turns 18, and was given a taste of life in control of a single-decker at First's training centre.

The firm, which runs services across the city, said it would not normally allow a child to drive a bus, but wanted to give "unique" Josh a "special" experience.

John Robinson from First Bus was Josh's instructor for the lesson

Lauren Wilkes from First Bus told the BBC that Josh was given a lesson with an instructor at their Olive Grove base, which is the UK's second-largest bus depot and can hold over 300 vehicles.

Josh's mother, Leander, first contacted the company to ask about transport to his leavers' prom and BBC Radio Sheffield listeners loved the story, prompting First to help the young bus fanatic realise his dream.

Josh steered the vehicle around the depot under close supervision, replicating a training exercise that First's new recruits would undertake.

Leander said: “I’m so excited for him, he had a challenging time growing up sometimes so he deserves this.”

She said the course was “trickier” than she had expected.

“I’m scared he’s going to crash into a wall and how much it’s going to cost me!”

Josh's mum, Leander, admitted to feeling "overwhelmed" watching her son behind the wheel

After the lesson Josh was reluctant to leave the bus.

"I wanted to do another lap. It was a brilliant experience," he said.

Instructor John Robinson was impressed with his new trainee.

“He took to it like a duck to water. I instructed him once and he got it.”

The teenager plans to study at Sheffield College but has been offered a work experience placement with First and could join their driver apprenticeship programme from the age of 18.

Josh added: "I could definitely see myself doing this. I've loved it".

Mr Robinson said: “He’d be a brilliant ambassador for any bus company, but we’d love to have him here.”