The man who keeps trentbarton’s tens of thousands of bus stops informative and welcoming places to catch a service is in the running for a major national prize at the UK Bus Awards 2017.

Chris Plummer, trentbarton’s roadside officer, is a finalist for the Unsung Hero Award and will find out at a ceremony in London on November 21 if he has won.

Chris, 46, from Ilkeston, plays a vital role at trentbarton and has already scooped the unsung hero title at the company’s 2017 really good service awards.

Chris, who is up against seven other finalists from across Great Britain, said: “I was really surprised and very pleased to win trentbarton’s award. To get to the national final of the UK Bus Awards is a great accolade from our industry.”

The Unsung Hero Award, sponsored by Backhouse Jones, recognises people who are committed, devoted to duty and truly go above and beyond making sure customers get where they need to be.

Mark Yexley, UK Bus Awards chairman, said: “This award is really special. Lots of true heroes in the industry go unnoticed, working behind the scenes and devoting their time to making sure passengers are given the very best service. It’s great to recognise them. We wish Chris the very best of luck at the awards ceremony.”

Tom Morgan, trentbarton’s director of service delivery, said: “Since starting as trentbarton’s roadside officer in 2006, Chris has been 100 per cent dedicated to each and every customer getting the information they need at our 6,000-plus bus stops.

“Chris is completely determined that every single piece of information at each of those bus stops is not only correct but stands out and is visually appealing. When services and timetables change, it’s Chris who rises to the challenge, making personally sure that every new bus stop version is accurate.”

trentbarton has a great track record at the UK Bus Awards. Past winners have included drivers Carole Hind in 2015, Allan Gilmour in 2012, Rhamzan Mohammed in 2010 and Barry Allitt in 2009. In 2012 trentbarton’s Tom Morgan, now the company’s service delivery director, won Young Manager of the Year.