TWENTY passengers had a shock when a wheel fell off the bus they were travelling on.

The Lancashire United 152 service was travelling from Preston to Burnley, at around 2.30pm on Tuesday, when one of the back wheels came off the bus.

The bus, which was heading along the 40mph Blackburn Old Road, in Hoghton, is reported to have suddenly dropped by around 5inches.

Initial inspections show the 10 wheel nuts on the wheel worked loose, the bus firm said.

The driver managed to retain control of the bus and brought it to a standstill.

A spokesman for Lancashire United said: “There were no injuries on the bus and there was no panic.

“There was no compromise to safety.

“It is unusual. We are investigating it.

“Our investigations so far say all our in-house procedures have been followed in relation to the maintenance of the vehicle.”

The vehicle underwent its annual MOT on March 21, and was given the all clear.

He said: “In addition to a rigorous maintenance schedule, the vehicle is visually checked on a daily basis by drivers before their shift begins.

“We are doing a thorough inspection of the parts and the bus.”

Passengers were transferred on to another vehicle to continue their journey, while the vehicle was taken to the depot on a recovery vehicle for inspection.