A POPULAR bus employee who is always willing to go the extra mile has been crowned as the Star of the Year.

Alan Campbell, a service supervisor from Southcote, was an overwhelming favourite to pick up the award from Reading Buses.

Colleagues recommended the 59-year-old for his consistently positive attitude and his 'amazing' all-round commitment since joining the company eight years ago.

Martijn Gilbert, CEO of Reading Buses, said: “Alan demonstrates all the Reading Buses values of unrelenting customer focus, being caring, doing the right thing, staying safe and healthy, constantly creative and having fun.

“He is an outstanding role model and ambassador for Reading Buses.”

Pratap Shrestha, from Caversham, was named Driving Star of the Year, while Steve Hamblin received the Engineering Star of the Year accolade.

Mayor Rose Williams was the guest of honour at the annual awards ceremony at the Concert Hall last Saturday.

Mr Gilbert added: “I am so proud to be crowning these three stars as our shining lights of the company. They show what a role model looks like and have truly shone this year to become our top stars.

“It has been an amazing year of awards with a whole host of fantastic external achievements which have celebrated our people and their work in the community.

“The main event was two of our team, including Maks Pruszewicz, last year’s Star of the Year, as Top National Bus Driver, winning gold at the UK Bus Awards.”