A BOOK bus caused major delays on a busy road when it got stuck as it tried to reverse out of a school gate.

Police had to be called to help as the double decker mobile library blocked cars and buses in Eastern Road, Brighton, yesterday.

Officers cordoned the road off between Sutherland Road and College Place and diverted traffic to the seafront.

A truck from Southern Recovery Service was then sent to help the bus driver turn back into the main road.

The Book Bus, operated by Browns Books For Students, travels around the UK offering library services to schoolchildren.

The problems started at about 8.30am when the driver tried to get into Brighton College, got the angle wrong and then became stuck as he reversed out.

It was nearly 10am when he managed to get the bus back on to the road.

Leah Hamblett, deputy head at Brighton College, said: “It’s Book Week so we arranged for the Book Bus to visit our school.

“It’s filled with thousands of books and it’s a great project for the children.

“Before the bus came, we measured the width of the entrance of the gate and the bus and everything was all fine.

“However, when the bus was trying to reverse out of the gate, the back of it got stuck on the kerb.

“The police were wonderful and really supportive.

“We were relieved that the bus managed to get back on the road and that it wasn’t a major incident.

“I just feel for the driver – it was not a nice morning for him.

“We had to cancel the Book Bus for our students and we were really looking forward to it.”

Hester Hayes, 51, a resident in Eastern Road, said: “I was in my flat and I kept hearing this beeping noise.

“I looked outside and I saw police cars blocking off a section of the road.

“I thought it was something serious happening.

“I then saw a purple bus stuck near Brighton College.

“Luckily there were no accidents and it wasn’t anything serious.

“Cars were diverted to the seafront. This is a busy road.”