A WISE-CRACKING Halesowen bus driver has been commended at the National Transport Awards for his charity fundraising.

Dave Gerrard, aged 72, has been a bus driver for fifty years and has raised over £22,000 in 15 years for a variety of good causes.

Mr Gerrard received his award in the category Frontline Employee of the Year at a glittering ceremony at London's Westminster Plaza Hotel.

He said: "I had the time of my life, I'm usually in bed by 9pm but I was drinking champagne with Lords at 2am on the awards night.

"I've only been to London twice since I was 15 so it was great to see the sights and represent National Express and the West Midlands."

He added: "I'm only a bus driver from the Black Country so to get this national award means a lot to me, I just wish my mother and father could have seen me win it because they would have been proud."

The bus driver did not miss a chance on raising cash for charity at the awards ceremony, he collared National Express chairman Sir John Armitt for £20.

He said: "Sir John asked me to tell him a joke, but I told him I could not because I am being sponsored not to tell gags until December.

"I am raising money for Russells Hall Neo-Natal Critical Care Unit and Birmingham Dogs Home so he handed over £20 straight away."

The joker added: "I tell jokes all of the time, I have even got joke books so I don't run out of gags, so stopping making people smile is really hard for me."

It was a successful night for National Express West Midlands as it won the prestigious Bus Operator of the Year award.

National Express group Chief Executive, Dean Finch, said: “This is a great accolade for the whole team. From leading the industry on partnership working, investing in new premium Platinum vehicles that are proving so popular with passengers and being way ahead of other city-regions on smart, integrated transport, this award is very well deserved.”