THE BATH STAR'S seated and safe campaign has been declared a resounding success after the city's largest bus company has agreed to take extra care of its passengers.

First In Bath is to place a sign in all of its buses urging drivers to ensure that elderly, disabled or passengers with small children are sitting down before they pull away a key issue that our Seated & Safe campaign has fought to have recognised by bus operators.

The news follows a meeting between MP for Bath Don Foster, a keen supporter of the campaign since it was launched in April this year, and Brian Noton, managing director of First In Bath.

Mr Foster raised issues highlighted by the campaign to Mr Noton, and said he was delighted to report that the campaign can finally be declared a success.

He said: "Congratulations to the Bath Star for their campaign, which I'm very glad to see has borne fruit. This measure will increase the safety of First Group passengers throughout the area."

Mr Noton said: "We are pleased to issue this notice to our drivers. It is an amplification of what we generally tell our drivers and I hope the sign will enforce and clarify our position in regard to this matter."

The campaign called for bus drivers to ensure their passengers were sitting down before they pulled away, safeguarding against falls, trips and accidents once the bus drives off.

The vinyl signs, which will be placed in the cabs of every First In Bath bus, will read: "Will all drivers please allow elderly, disabled or passengers with small children to reach an available seat before moving off.

"Obviously when no seats are available, drivers should take extra care to avoid any injuries to passengers who have to stand."

The Bath Star had taken its case to Mr Foster in May. The MP, who is also the Liberal Democrats Transport spokesman, immediately got onto the then Secretary of State, Stephen Buyers, asking what the government was doing to safeguard the wellbeing of bus passengers.

The campaign immediately attracted support from a variety of local pressure groups, as well as igniting a storm of readers letters and emails.

The Mayor of Bath, Councillor Marian McNeir said the campaign was right to "ask drivers to just take a minute or two to let people settle down" whilst broadcaster and Weston-resident Jonathan Dimbleby said that "travelling is dangerous enough as it is without the risk of unnecessary accidents."

Now, with the success of the campaign, other supporters of Seated & Safe have welcomed the action taken by First In Bath and the work of the campaign team.

Help the Aged spokesman Alan Burnett said: "It is brilliant news I think it is a significant development all credit to the Bath Star for their determination and perseverance. This will serve drivers as a continual reminder of their obligations.

"We hope to keep note of this success to pass on to other areas throughout Britain to show that something can be done."

Stephen Holt, director of facilities at the Royal United Hospital said: "Well done Bath Star. This has been a successful campaign and our patients will appreciate your efforts."

Jonathan Dimbleby said: "Well done to the Bath Star's Seated & Safe campaign. Common sense has triumphed."

Team Leader of Public Transport at Bath and North East Somerset Council, James Willcock said: "The campaign has been a good idea and we would be happy to continue to make sure that drivers take notice of the requests of First In Bath."