A COACH driver has picked up a prestigious award from National Express.

Oscar Cotton, of Worthing, who works for Lucketts Travel, has been named driver of the month, beating tough competition from more than 2,000 others across the UK.

Lucketts, the parent company of Worthing Coaches, runs more than 100 journeys every day on behalf of National Express and has twice received the firm’s Golden Spanner award for the way it maintains its vehicles.

Now driver Oscar has added to Lucketts’ list of accolades from the national firm.

He was surprised at Lucketts’ headquarters when he was presented with his certificate.

The 27-year-old has received praise from customers and staff alike since joining in April.

Customers who nominated him said: “There has been nothing but praise for the driver since the day that he started and is a credit to the company.

“He’s always willing to work extra on rest days and assisting with breakdowns or changeover of vehicles.

“He genuinely loves working for Lucketts and National Express and has real potential.”

Oscar learnt how to drive coaches through Lucketts’ in-house training academy.

He said: “I was so surprised when I heard I’d been named driver of the month.

“ I definitely wasn’t expecting it. I love doing what I do so winning this award is a welcome bonus.”

Lucketts Travel was established in 1926 and is based in Fareham, Hampshire.

It is a family-run business which provides coach hire, holidays and day trips.

It employs more than 300 staff.