THE bus company investigating why Potterne mum Claire Eacott was not allowed on to a bus with her baby son, has told her she should smile at its bus drivers.

Miss Eacott, 27, and her eight-month-old son Lewis were refused entry twice on a Number 2 bus service operated by Wilts & Dorset Bus Company.

Following a story in the Gazette last week, the bus company has written to Miss Eacott, of Blackberry Lane, saying it is looking into why she was not allowed on the bus.

But the company's administrative officer Kevin Dolan said in a letter to her, she could do more to help herself when boarding the company's buses.

He said: "I accept that travelling alone with a young baby can be extremely stressful, and for that reason would recommend you to plan your outings with a companion, or to seek the assistance of another passenger with your buggy when boarding or leaving the bus.

"Similarly, a polite request accompanied by a smile to the driver to wait until you are seated will almost certainly meet with a positive reaction."

Miss Eacott, who suffers from back pain following a road accident in 1997, blasted the bus company's response.

"I would smile if I was happy but I don't smile when I am left stranded by the bus driver. I find that a sarcastic comment.

"I would love to have a companion but my fiance works and my friends have got children. The bus company is telling me to pay for somebody to help me and Lewis get on the bus because they won't help me. I find that arrogant."