PASSENGERS have spoken of their shock after the driver of their bus was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving.

More than 25 stunned travellers including children and elderly people were on board when police pulled over the double-decker before breathalysing and arresting the driver.

It is understood they swooped on the Bluestar-run number one service – which runs from Southampton city centre to Winchester – as it reached Chilworth roundabout, at the top of The Avenue, after receiving a phone call from a member of the public.

The driver, who is on police bail, has now been suspended by the bus company.

One passenger, who the Daily Echo agreed not to name, said: “We just didn’t have a clue what was happening when we saw the blue flashing lights.

“We all panicked but did not know what to think.We couldn’t hear the police officers after they had stormed in and were talking to the driver.

“Then he was breathalysed and taken away in a police car.

“God forbid what could have happened to us and other people in other cars because it was quite busy on the roads.”

After police detained the driver, at around 7.45pm last Saturday, he was replaced within minutes by a colleague, allowing the bus to continue on its route.

Bluestar’s public relations manager, Chris Harris said because of the serious nature of the allegations, their employee had been suspended immediately.

He said: “It is a strict rule that all Bluestar employees are required to be completely sober at all times when on duty; the consumption of alcohol while on duty or reporting for duty while under the influence of alcohol is expressly forbidden.

“The safety of our customers and of other road users is, at all times, our top priority, and this rare, but very serious, incident has been dealt with robustly.”

David Sidebottom, bus director from transport group Passenger Focus, said it is important bus companies act when there are allegations of drink-driving by staff.

He said: “Passengers would be rightly concerned that someone under the influence of alcohol may have been behind the wheel of a bus. It is reassuring to see that Bluestar is dealing with this issue in a robust way.

“However, it is essential that the bus industry does everything it can to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again.”

A police spokesman said: “A man in his 50s from the Chandler’s Ford area has been arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle when the alcohol level was above the legal limit.

“He has been bailed until July 1.”

Additional reporting by Jon Reeve