BUS driver Paul Marsden has hung up his driving gloves after 30 years behind the wheel on the streets of Oxford.

Mr Marsden, from Cowley, who starting driving for the Oxford Bus Company in November 1988 drove his last lap of the city earlier this month.

The 65-year-old said he felt emotional when he stepped out of his cab for the last time.

When Mr Marsden first drove a bus for the Oxford Bus Company, Oxford United were in the old First Division and a bus fare was generally less than £1.

Grandfather-of-two Mr Marsden started out driving a mini-bus before moving onto a double decker on route 73 between Marston and the city centre. He later covered Blackbird Leys and has been on the park-and-ride service 300 for the last nine years.

He said: “I loved being a bus driver, it was the best time of my life and if I could do it all over again I would.

“I enjoyed working with the public. I remember driving the old VR Bristol double decker, fleet number 476 that was in the old City of Oxford colours is in a museum now as a reminder of those days. It was a diesel engine and when it used to freeze overnight, we would use a blow-torch to defrost it.”

Mr Marsden is now looking forward to spending time with his grandchildren, gardening and holidays.