BUS drivers in Rossendale believe they are among the best in the country.

Four drivers from Rossendale Transport have made it to the national finals of the Bus Driver of the Year competition in Blackpool on September 10.

John Allan, 44, of Accrington, has worked for the company four years, Martin Bower, 36, of Rawtenstall, Colin Cropper, 37, of Rawtenstall and Steven Crabtree, 32, of Waterfoot finished in the top four in a company-based competition held at the Department of Transport Test Centre at Heywood.

The test comprised of manoeuvres, highway code theory and an on-road assessment scored and monitored under test conditions by the company's own qualified DSA driving instructors.