Bus driver Peter Dore definitely has the X-Factor as far has his doting passengers are concerned.

He's been hailed as “priceless” and even had a poem penned in his honour.

Margaret Stenson wrote the ode after fellow travellers dubbed Pete, 60, “the best”.

Pete has been driving the No 8 Compass Travel bus around Ferring, near Worthing, for three years.

He knows his passengers by their first names and always greets them with a cheery smile.

During last winter's big freeze he even dropped pensioners outside their homes so they didn't have to deal with icy pavements.

Now Pete's fame is spreading and his fan club extends across Worthing.

Pete, whose cab is filled with presents, ranging from bottles of champagne to the finest chocolates every Christmas, said: “It's lovely. “There's a real family atmosphere, a bit like the old fashioned village buses where everybody knew each other.

“It's a community thing and it's rather taken off.” Margaret, 68, of Ashurst Drive, Goring, Worthing, said: “He deserves the recognition. It is not very often you find a bus driver as good as Peter. Everybody knows and likes him.”

She even wrote to the Queen in the hope she might award him a gong.

Rose Grove, 81, of The Maples, Ferring, said: “He is just so popular and unique.

“We could do with more people like him. We all love Pete. He is something special.”

Carol Barrett, 60, of Alderney Road, Ferring, said: “He is absolutely amazing, a very caring driver. You will never find another one like him.”

Chris Chatfield, managing director of Compass, said: “Peter exemplifies the type of driver and standard of service we want to encourage.

“He is not just friendly but actually knows all his regular passengers by name and looks out for them each time they travel.

“When Peter started on this route we provided him with a brand new low floor bus which he takes a real pride in - always keeping it clean and tidy.

“We now have passengers who use this bus service as a kind of park and ride, driving to Goring or Ferring just to catch this particular bus into Worthing.”

Ode to Priceless Pete

by Margaret Stenson

The bus comes down our road each day, And now that we're 60 we don't have to pay.

Peter's our driver, a very nice chap.

He sometimes wears glasses, but never a cap.

He knows all the passengers by their first name, Hail rain or sunshine he's always the same.

The days would be sad if we didn't have Pete, He never moves off 'till we're sat in our seat.

He gives us a wave, he toots on the horn, And everybody blesses the day he was born.

We all think he's great, and I wrote to the Queen, A medal for Pete, if you know what I mean.

She said, “I'll consider his name with the rest.”

I said, “Come on lady this chap is the best.”

Three cheers for Pete, a man of renown, He makes us all happy, best driver in town.