A Sussex bus company has been shortlisted for two more prestigious national awards.

The Bus Industry Awards nominations are for Bus Oscars, to be handed out in London in November by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling.

Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company has been shortlisted for Bus Operator of the Year as well as a new category of Customer Services Award.

The company was runner-up as Bus Operator of the Year last year and won the award outright in 1998.

It has won a string of other awards, including three times as winner of the Bus Company of the Year in a separate competition organised by the National Federation of Bus Users.

Managing director Roger French said: "It's a wonderful tribute to everyone who works so hard for the company, providing a high standard of bus service for the city."

Brighton and Hove has a unique record of increasing the number of passengers by 50 per cent in the last decade.

Mr French said: "It is something we're very proud of and which has been a huge benefit to the city's transport."

The Bus Industry Awards organisation is sending "mystery" shoppers to see Brighton and Hove's bus operation for itself in the next few weeks to help the judges' final decision.