It was no ordinary day on the buses for driver David Fillary yesterday.

The 55-year-old, of Millwood Vale, Long Hanborough, is retiring due to illness after more than 30 years driving for Oxford Bus Company.

Before moving to Oxfordshire with his wife, Mary, he worked for London Transport. He won awards for his motoring skills and later became a driving instructor.

Retiring bus driver David Fillary, 55, with his wife Mary, 54 Mr Fillary was given a splendid send-off yesterday with a special delivery at his home - a traditional red double-decker Routemaster bus was brought over by bosses at OBC to take him on a tour of Oxford. Afterwards, David was dropped off at a surprise party in Witney in his honour.

The popular driver has been forced to retire after contracting motor neuron disease, a muscle wasting illness, which cuts short the life of its victims.

But he is refusing to give in - and intends to thoroughly enjoy his retirement.

Mr Fillary, who has three daughters and is expecting his first grandchild on Christmas Day, remains active, despite having just lost his speech due to the illness.

He is a keen member of Cassington's Classic Motorbike Club and has just bought himself a new Fireblade motorbike. He has also recently taken up sailing.

Mrs Fillary said: "We're being very open about the illness. David is a wonderful, happy-go-lucky bloke. Everyone loves him. He's always got a smile on his face and is very active. He never stops."

Mr Fillary began his career driving buses in 1969 with London Transport, before moving to Witney with his wife. They later moved to Long Hanborough and he joined the Oxford Bus Company, where he worked on most of the firm's routes, including the Oxford to London Express.

In 1982, Mr Fillary was a 'king of the road' when he came third in the National Bus Driver contest.

He has spent the last seven years teaching new bus drivers.

OBC operations manager Chris Lee said his colleague's positive attitude to life and work had inspired others.

He said: "Even in the face of this difficulty David's so positive, it's amazing. He's an incredible person.

"He's been excellent to work with. He's always a cheerful, unflappable individual, who's never down. He's always ready with a laugh and a joke. His strength of character is really shining through now."