Two local Bluestar drivers won a top award for their exceptional driving skills along the south coast.

The drivers, Grzegorz Dziob and Hannah Green, competed against colleagues from Bluestar and Unilink and other top drivers from Southern Vectis on the Isle of Wight, Salisbury Reds, Swindon’s Bus Company, and Morebus in Bournemouth and Poole.

Mr Dziob landed first place, driving for Unilink that's managed by Bluestar on behalf of the University of Southampton.

Ms Green finished in second place, having joined Bluestar in November 2015.

Operations director, David Lee Kong, lavished praise on his employees for their success in the competition.

He said: "We are justifiably proud of our drivers across all our operators, so the top three of this annual award have to be very special.

"I’m delighted for Grzegorz and Hannah. To be placed higher than all our drivers along the south coast is an amazing achievement."

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Mr Dziob, who chose bus driving as a career after coming to the UK from Poland in 2006, said: "My cousin originally persuaded me to give bus driving a try, and I haven’t looked back since.

"I competed in 2023 and almost made the top 10, which made me want to try even harder this year. I’m looking forward to representing the company in Blackpool later this year."

Ms Green, who previously worked as a customer care assistant within the hospitality industry, said: "I took part in this competition because it’s a chance to show off your skills and socialise with colleagues at the same time.

"I never expected to qualify for Blackpool but I’m delighted and am really looking forward to it."

Judges assessed them on professionalism and special manoeuvres at a Salisbury event.

The top five drivers from Go South Coast, including Dziob and Green, will progress to a national award event in Blackpool on September 1.