A bus-mad boy from Norwich got the birthday present of a lifetime when he was given an access-all-areas visit to a bus depot.

Norwich Evening News: Sam Jones, 11, and Danny Beales, Operations Manager at First’s Great Yarmouth depot, on a double decker bus.Sam Jones, 11, and Danny Beales, Operations Manager at First’s Great Yarmouth depot, on a double decker bus. (Image: Archant)

Sam Jones, who is a pupil at Costessey Junior School, enjoyed a special behind-the-scenes tour of First's Great Yarmouth depot.

The birthday treat was arranged after his mum, Vicky Gaff, contacted the transport firm to ask if her bus-mad son could visit one its depots.

And his birthday wish came true when, along with his mum and sisters Katrina and Amy Horlock, the aspiring bus driver was invited to visit the firm's Great Yarmouth depot on Saturday, the day before his 11th birthday.

During his tour of the depot, Sam saw the engineering area and explored the vintage Routemaster bus, which celebrates its 60th birthday this year.

Sam also gained an insight into the running of the depot and saw the giant bus wash and the room where all of the seats are stitched.

He then enjoyed a private tour around Great Yarmouth and along the seafront in his own chauffeur-driven double-decker bus.

Sam, who left the depot armed with goodies including First merchandise and a model bus, said: 'I would like to say thank you to First. I had a great day.'

His sister Katrina added: 'Thank you to the Norwich and Yarmouth depot teams for making my brother so happy on his birthday weekend.'

Danny Beales, operations manager at First's Great Yarmouth depot, said: 'It was a pleasure to show Sam around the depot and we are pleased he had an enjoyable morning.

'We hope he had a valuable insight into the industry and we wish him every success with his ambition to become a bus driver.'

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