Bus company chiefs went behind the wheel when their drivers went on strike on one of the busiest shopping days of the year.

Stagecoach drivers based at Worthing walked out from midnight on Friday to noon on Saturday in protest at a pay settlement.

But the company kept services going by drafting in managers, inspectors and directors from all over the country, putting them up in the £59-a-night Chatsworth Hotel, in The Steyne.

Transport and General Workers' Union branch secretary Paul Cowell said the Worthing public supported the strikers.

He said: "It was a complete and utter success. It was absolutely amazing the amount of support we got. I was really pleased.

"The company is shocked but the company always plays hard nails so we will have to see what happens."

The drivers asked for £7.50 an hour, a 32p increase, but Stagecoach imposed a £7 limit.

The union said 53 drivers set up picket lines outside the depot, next to the Dome Cinema in Marine Parade, but Stagecoach maintained there were between 15 to 20 protesters.

A further strike is planned for January 5 but Stagecoach has warned drivers there is no more extra money available.

Four secret ballots have been held at the depot and more than 84 per cent of members were in favour of the strike.

Passengers inconvenienced were placated when Stagecoach brought down fares. Customers were charged just £1 for journeys between Arundel and Brighton - the normal fare is £5.30.

But Mr Cowell told The Argus: "We have been watching buses all day and no one is getting on them.

"We have watched buses going the wrong way and passengers complaining that the buses are all messed up.

"The public support us. We are not out to hurt the public - they pay our wages. That's why we only walked out for 12 hours.

"We could have walked out on Christmas Eve. We picked this Saturday because it was the first Saturday available to us."

Stagecoach, one of Britain's largest bus operators, has 150 buses and 300 staff in its West Sussex and South Hampshire division.

Phil Medlicott, operations manager for Stagecoach, described a tabled 8.2 per cent rise and guaranteed rise in 12 months as "an extremely good offer".

He said: "We have been talking with the union since August but as far as the actual amount of money Stagecoach can offer, that is basically their lot. We have no more in the pot."

The strikers were locked out of the depot after the walkout ended. Stagecoach had warned them they would not be allowed to return to complete the afternoon shift.