WOMEN across the county are being urged to consider a career on the buses.

Operator Morebus is looking for more female drivers to join its ranks – and anyone interested in the initiative was able to try driving a bus themselves on Saturday.

Both women and men visited the ‘try it and see’ event at Creekmoor, and Nikki Honer, of Morebus, said the day had been a great success.

“We had quite a crowd of people here when we opened at 9am, so that’s a wonderful result,” she said.

“We kept the first part of the day for women only, and then opened it up to men a bit later on.

“If you’re married or you’ve got a boyfriend, they’re often the ones driving even if they’re in the passenger seat, so we thought we’d just have some time for women exclusively.”

Everyone who took the wheel of one of the 12-tonne buses received a certificate.

Jacky Pipe, of Corfe Mullen, said: “I’ve always liked driving bigger vehicles anyway, and I’ve driven trucks and a tractor before, so this is right up my street.

“It’s been great.”

Jan Chutter, of Dewlish near Dorchester, said: “I was a bit hesitant – I drive a Mini usually so it was a big change, but actually it was great.”

Ms Honer said: “We often hear from women that they don’t feel they could drive a bus.

“We know this is not the case. If they can drive a car, we will teach them the rest.

“With the right training, it’s far easier than they might think.”

Alex's bus experience

I passed my test a decade ago in the same Nissan Micra I still drive today.

So it was quite a shock to be sitting behind the wheel of an enormous Morebus.

I completed my first turn around the Creekmoor park and ride at a steady crawl, gradually easing my foot off the brake as I grew in confidence. That’s when I ploughed straight into a plastic barrier.

I’ve got no doubt that a more competent driver would really enjoy the job – and I hope that more women are inspired to take the wheel themselves.