HE'S been on the buses in North Dorset for 56 years, and is believed to be the longest serving bus employee in the country.

Jim Newton, 78, began his career in the industry as a conductor at Wilts & Dorset in 1951, before becoming a driver.

He retired' at the age of 65 for a week and then started working for Damory Coaches, where he now drives school buses.

"I still very much enjoy the job," said Jim.

"It is perhaps a bit more stressful because of the increasing amount of traffic on the roads, but I still enjoy the camaraderie with my colleagues."

Alex Carter, managing director for the Go Ahead Group, which runs Damory, said: "Jim is very popular with our customers and colleagues and has an exemplary work record. I hope that we can give him the accolade of the longest serving UK bus worker."

In the 1960s, Jim recalls driver and conductor teams stopping in a lay-by near Blandford to ensure they didn't arrive at their next stop too early.

On one occasion there was a cattle truck with a frustrated farmer trying to urge a cow to board it.

So the bus driver, a former abattoir worker, made a bet with his conductor that he could motivate the beast.

Watched by his colleague and passengers, he started to wind the cow's tail like a spring and let go.

The cow promptly moved into the truck but also soiled the driver's trousers, much to the amusement of everyone.

Jim also recalls being a conductor on a night service when they passed a service man pushing a bicycle.

They offered to take him and his bike to Blandford.

A few miles on they came across another Army lad pushing a small motorcycle.

He was also taken onboard but they were caught out when an inspector jumped on at the next stop.

"He was obviously not impressed but decided not to notice the two-wheeled cargo," said Jim.