A SOUTHAMPTON woman had to get up extra early simply to make a five-mile journey by bus.

Angelina Chivers couldn't believe it when she called First Southampton bus company to find out what time she'd have to catch a bus to get to Chandler's Ford for 9.15am - and was told 7am.

Angelina, 44, of Prince of Wales Avenue, Regents Park, said: "I was told there was another bus at 7.26am, but that it "might not turn up as we've got 33 bus drivers off".

"So I - and my mum who's 74 - had to get up at 6am, catch the bus into town just after 7am, and then catch another bus to the Nuffield Hospital in Chandler's Ford. That meant we got to the hospital at 8am, and yet my appointment wasn't until 9.15am."

She added: "In two hours I could get from here to Spain or here to Switzerland by aeroplane - Chandler's Ford is only down the road.

"I think that's really bad - First Southampton is there to give a public service. The prices it charges aren't justified, and for people on job seeker's allowance like me, it's terrible that it costs £2 to get into town and back."

First Southampton has put bus delays down to "an unusually high driver sickness rate", as well as major city centre roadworks and the opening of WestQuay.

The company says customers are benefiting from an improved service after a £5.5 million investment in new buses, but that people didn't like change.

If you've got a story for Bus Watch, call Fiona Griffiths on 023 8033 7757.