Bus company bosses have defended a driver after a young passenger was left traumatised during a road accident.

Tanis Willson, 12, was a passenger on a bus which braked to avoid a deaf child in St James's Street, Brighton.

Tanis, who was on the stairs of the packed bus, banged her head and can remember little of what happened.

But in the confusion, she believed she had been ordered off the bus.

Uncertain about what to do, she started walking home.

Her mother Anne, of Manor Hill, Brighton, who picked her up after receiving a tearful phone call, said her daughter had been traumatised.

But Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, has investigated the allegations and says no one was ordered off.

Passengers were directed to an alternative service. The driver has been commended for his actions.

The deaf child, who is believed to have walked in front of the bus, did not require hospital treatment thanks to his prompt action.

Roger French, managing director of the bus company, said: "The driver's first priority was to ensure the child was safe. The police have said the accident was not his fault.

"The driver advised his passengers that, as St James's Street was blocked, they should go to the bus stop in the parallel road on the seafront where buses would be diverted. Within three or four minutes a supervisor arrived.

"At no time were children ordered off. We hold this driver in high regard and would refute these allegations totally."

Mrs Willson said: "Tanis could hear the mother shouting and could see the injured child. Nobody was explaining what was going on.

"She is not the brightest of kids and all she heard was the driver saying get off the bus. She wasn't told if another bus was being laid on or whether she'd have to pay again."

The Hove Park School pupil walked from the Old Steine to the top of Queen's Road before calling her mother.

Mrs Willson said: "She was shocked for the next few days. The doctor said she may have slight concussion and to keep her off school."