Bus bosses have apologised after a young mum and her ten-week-old baby were left stranded when a driver refused to let them on.

Laura Stephenson, 17, was trying to catch a bus from Tyersal to the Asda store in Rooley Lane, Bradford, with her baby son Matthew.

She said the driver of the double deck bus refused to allow her on because she had a pram.

"I'd caught the bus a few weeks before and thought it would be okay," said Miss Stephenson.

"I asked the driver if there was another bus due which would allow for prams and he said no.

"Then I asked him if he would wait for me to close up the buggy and he said no, closed the door and drove off."

She added: "I ended up having to walk because I didn't have any money for a taxi. It took me an hour and a half to get to Asda.

"I could have gone home but there was nothing to eat in the house and we would have ended up starving."

By the time Miss Stephenson reached the store she said her son was cold and upset.

She said: "It had been two and a half hours since he'd been fed and he was cold and needed changing."

Miss Stephenson's mum, Wendy Stephenson, who works at the Asda, had to take her to the staff area so they could warm up.

Mrs Stephenson, 38, of Tyersal Grove said: "It's appalling.

"They're trying to encourage people to use public transport and this is how they treat us."

Grahame Riley commercial director for First Calderline, which operates the service, said: "What happened is appalling.

"We expect our drivers to help passengers, especially people with young children. Many of our buses are fitted with floors that can be lowered.

"We would expect any driver to help with the buggy, help the mother to her seat and make sure the buggy is secure before driving off.

"We would ask that she get in touch and we will deal with the matter internally."