A jobsworth driver ordered stunned Wiltshire pensioner Dave Stratford off his bus - for carrying a small tin of paint.

The driver told the 75-year-old the 750ml tin of Buckingham green paint was highly explosive and posed a safety threat to passengers.

Mr Stratford, of of Wheedon Road, Stratton St Margaret, boarded the Thamnesdown Transport 1a bus after buying the paint from B&Q in Fleming Way. He was carrying the paint in a carrier bag and was heading home to paint his garage doors on Thursday morning.

"I struggled on to the bus and the driver said you can't come on with that, it's highly explosive, you will have to get off'," he said.

"I stood there in amazement with my mouth open, I was gobsmacked. I told him I would take it further."

The retired electrician, who is registered disabled, had to stand in the rain for half an hour waiting for a friend to pick him up after being thrown off by the driver.

He said: "I can't drive. I struggle to walk and I'm awaiting a major operation on my left knee so I had to phone a friend to pick me up.

"He was just having his breakfast so I had to wait for about half an hour. I was most upset at the time, but I've got over it now.

"It was a shock. I mean there was no notice to say you can't carry paint. I don't think there is a health and safety risk."

Thamesdown Transport said that it would investigate the incident if Mr Stratford put the matter in writing to the company.

Managing director Paul Jenkins apologised and said the driver was wrong to say he couldn't carry the paint for fear of an explosion but said paint is discouraged from buses for fear of spillage.

"I am sorry to hear of the inconvenience the gentleman was put to," said Mr Jenkins.

"It is company policy not to carry tins of paint because of the risk of spillage but the driver was incorrect to suggest it was due to a potential explosion.

"I would always advise people to keep all belongings in a bag and keep them secure."

Mr Stratford, who is married to Daphne and has a grown-up daughter and two grandchildren, said that he would have to continue catching buses because he has no other way of getting about.

Last year in Cardiff 73-year-old RAF veteran Brian Heale was kasked to leave a bus for carrying a tin of paint on health and safety grounds.