A bus driver was hauled out of his seat because staff at a Colliers Wood day centre considered him too drunk to drive its elderly clients home.

The man, hired by Merton Council through an agency, was preparing to drive the bus at around 3pm on Monday when staff at Woodland Day Centre decided he was too intoxicated to transport the pensioners.

Declan Carroll, of Central and Cecil Housing Trust, which runs the Cavendish Road centre, said staff found the man to be unfit to drive.

He added: "We would not do anything to put our clients at risk. The driver looked intoxicated and we were not prepared to let this man drive the bus.

"This person wasn't fit to drive. He was reported by staff from the day centre to the council transport manager and the bus didn't leave the site until a replacement driver was found. He was removed from the bus by Central and Cecil Housing Trust."

The elderly passengers had been enjoying a range of activities at the centre and were preparing to go home.

A woman, who did not wish to be named, whose elderly mother was waiting to be taken home on the bus, said: "I was particularly concerned for my mother's safety. It was only last week that there was that terrible crash with the tennis shuttle bus. I would've thought the council would be doing everything to increase the safety of passengers especially the elderly. I was very worried."

Helen Catling, Merton Council's transport manager, said a supervisor and replacement driver were immediately sent to the centre.

She added: "There was an incident at Woodland Day Centre when a driver, who is supplied to us through an agency, appeared to have consumed alcohol.

"We immediately sent a supervisor and a replacement driver to the centre and the replacement driver transported the elderly people home safely.

"The agency driver was immediately told he would not be permitted to work for us again and we informed his agency of the allegation and outcome.

"We have always had a very good relationship with the agency and this is the first time there has been a problem of this nature. We are satisfied that it was a one-off incident."

July 12, 2002 10:00