A YOUNG Hampshire bus manager has won a national award four years after arriving as a graduate.

Martin Gibbon, operations manager at Stagecoach's Winchester and Andover depots, scooped young manager of the year at a glamorous London ceremony.

He said: “It’s incredibly humbling to be nominated in any instance so to win was a lovely surprise. The award itself is a direct reflection of the commitment that both teams have in delivering a quality, reliable bus service to our passengers throughout Hampshire.”

Martin took over Winchester's depot in 2013 and is responsible for organising 55 buses and 110 years. They carried 4.3 million passengers last year.

He followed his nomination for the UK Bus Awards in September with a formal presentation to expert judges. Candidates are also tested by 'mystery shoppers'.

Industry figures say the awards, in their 20th year, have played a key role in raising the profile of buses and their operators.

Michael Watson, managing director for Stagecoach South, said: “It goes without saying that we are proud of Martin’s achievement. We are fortunate to have a number of expert staff working in the company and it’s fantastic to see their hard work professionally recognised”.

"The judges were extremely impressed by Martin's attitude and approach as well as by his achievements," a Stagecoach spokesman said. "They were confident of a successful continued career in the industry ahead finding Martin to be a true professional already."

Portsmouth depot manager Bob Jackson was highly commended in the ‘Unsung Hero Award’.

Fifteeen finalists nationally were Stagecoach employees.