MUSICIAN and school bus driver, Brian Baverstock, has died at the age of 87.

Born in Poole in Kingston Road, he attended Longfleet junior school as did his father, son and grandson and then Henry Harbin Senior School.

After finishing his education, he completed his National Service for around three years, where he spent time in the Royal Artillery Corps in Tonfannu in Wales and in a disused underground station in London, working on radar and early warning anti-aircraft systems.

He became a motor mechanic at Warn and Co in Seldown Lane, where he later became a partner, before this was closed down to make way for the Lighthouse theatre.

After getting his Public Service Vehicle Operator Licence, he worked as a coach driver for Cosy Coaches, then Stanbridge and Critchel Bus Co, before moving to Damory Coaches, who he worked for into his eighties.

Outside of work, he met his wife, Sue, in 1958 while performing as part of the band for a mutual friend's birthday party. Sue eventually moved into the family home in Kingston Road, where Brian lived throughout his life, and the couple later welcomed a son, Colin, who in turn welcomed son, Toby, who has taken on his grandad's interest in music.

Brian took piano lessons as a child and as an adult, he served as the pianist in the Stan Alway band, which performed dance music at venues across Dorset, as well as playing the electric organ.

He also loved Amateur Radio, a skill he had first picked up during his National Service and had a lifelong interest in photographer, sometimes using his bathroom as a makeshift darkroom, as well as enjoying family holidays to the West Country and Wales.

Following on from the theme of his interest in transport, Brian had owned motorbikes as well as a 1954 Hillman Minx, which has continued to be maintained to ensure that it remains operational for each new generation of the family.

Brian also took a great interest in steam trains and loved watching the steam and diesel engines rolling into Swanage Railway on their webcams.

He died on June 8 and his funeral took place at Poole Crematorium on June 27, with donations going to The Swanage Railway Trust.