A BUS company has defended its driver when they were caught in a standoff with another motorist on a busy Southampton street.

Commuters were caught up in delays when the driver of a car and a bus stood nose to nose at a pinch-point on Waterloo Road.

Queues of tailbacks formed along the road which leads both in and out of the city centre as people waited for the driver of the red car to back up and give the number 11 Bluestar bus right of way.

At that point the female driver should have given way but she called the Daily Echo and claimed the driver of the bus drove towards her and was rude behind the wheel.

Paul Coyne, Bluestar operations manager, said: “I am aware of an incident in Southampton earlier today, where one of our drivers' right of way appears to have been blocked by another road user.

“As well as being highly competent behind the wheel, our drivers are chosen for their communications and customer service skills - and all receive further training throughout their careers with us.

"I am surprised and concerned that we weren't able to continue our service more quickly this morning and am looking into the circumstances behind this incident.

“I would like to apologise for any inconvenience this unplanned hold up caused for our customers and others using this route.”

The standoff eventually came to an end when police arrived to settle the dispute.