A Bradford coach driver hailed a hero after a group of pensioners escaped unhurt in a road smash has had his licence withdrawn.

Churchgoers from Clayton were left shocked but unhurt after the coach suffered brake failure and careered over a traffic island and through a junction before smashing into a roundabout in Boothtown, Halifax, last May.

The pensioners praised the driver for averting a tragedy, but today learned the bus had been in an appalling condition.

The owner of the bus, Andrew Mortimer of Town and Country Coaches, of Duckworth Lane, Heaton, has had his licence withdrawn following a Department of Transport public inquiry into the accident.

The Leeds inquiry heard that the coach was "riddled with faults".

The vehicle, which was driven by Mr Mortimer, was carrying members of the Clayton Baptist Church Women's Fellowship on a day trip to Burnley. Most of the 25-strong group were women and in their 80s.

Speaking after the inquiry, the Reverend David Newton, who was one of the passengers, said: "It was not the operator that we normally use. When we first saw the bus, one of the old ladies said a prayer. We were just glad to get back home."

John Mellor, 57, of Clayton, whose wife Jennifer organised the trip, said: "We should never have set foot on the bus.

"The driver did well, because it could have been a lot worse. It could have ended up with people dying."

The inquiry heard that that the 49-seat coach had so many faults the only safe way of moving the dangerous vehicle was on the back of a low-loader.

The coach was checked out by Brian Luty, Ministry vehicle examiner, who found that the front offside brakes were totally inoperative and the nearside brakes excessively worn.

The rear brakes were also in poor condition. The exhaust was corroded and so holed it was possible fumes would escape into the carriage.

And suspension airbags were tied with cable in the fully open position.

"Mr Mortimer operated the vehicle in a very dangerous condition with a total disregard for the safety of passengers and other road users," said Mr Luty.

He added that the mechanic employed by Mr Mortimer was not qualified and "not technically competent".

Mr Mortimer, who ran six vehicles before his licence was altered to allow him to run only one, had been warned on two previous occasions about the condition of his vehicles.

The Traffic Commissioner, Mr Keith Waterworth, said the buck stopped with Mr Mortimer, not the mechanic, and the only option was to revoke the licence.

"The coach was in appalling condition. We are talking about serious issues of public safety here," he said.

Mr Mortimer said: "I thought it was in good condition. I would not have driven the vehicle if I had known that it was in that condition."

He refused to comment after the inquiry.

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