When four and five year olds at Larkfields Infant School told their teacher that most had never been on a bus she decided to send a “cheeky” email to their local bus company trentbarton.

The teacher, Hope Linford, says she was bowled over when trentbarton volunteered to send two buses to take her pupils for a ride with a difference.

Hope said: “We were reading a book called 'The Naughty Bus' and some of the children said they hadn’t ever been on a bus.

“I was really cheeky and asked trentbarton if there was anything they could do. The company replied saying they would love to help.”

trentbarton sent a pair of rainbow one buses – plus Mr MANGO – to the Nuthall school on a Sunday. A total of 52 children were each given 10p to hand to the drivers in return for special tickets made just for the day.

After being taken on a scenic journey the buses arrived at Langley Mill Bus Depot where the children could see inside the workshops before a big treat – a drive through the giant bus wash machine and a go in the driver’s seat.

“They loved sitting in the driver’s seat,” said Hope, “and of course the bus wash and Mr MANGO’s singalongs on the journeys.

“All the children loved the day and their parents really appreciated what trentbarton provided. The children have been writing all about the trip and everything that happened. It was a really good experience.”

Jordan Kemp, trentbarton’s marketing & communications manager, said: “I know Mr MANGO and the drivers Emma Sharpe and Steve Baker enjoyed the day as much as the children did.

“At trentbarton we’re pretty excited about buses and it was lovely to have so many young passengers aboard who were also so enthusiastic.”