A BUS driver is facing disciplinary action after he was allegedly caught on camera steering his vehicle along narrow country lanes on a journey to York - while holding a cup of coffee.

Bus company Arriva Yorkshire said today it would not tolerate such behaviour from its drivers, and that the company's disciplinary procedures would be invoked.

The unnamed employee was allegedly photographed by a shocked passenger travelling on the Wetherby to York bus, holding the cup for 25 minutes as he drove along narrow country lanes.

Arriva Yorkshire's commercial director, Phil Booker, has written to the passenger to thank him for bringing the driver's actions to their attention.

"Arriva places safety at the heart of everything we do and recently won two road safety awards for our commitment to ensuring the safety of both customers and employees," Mr Booker said.

"I would like to reassure our customers that this behaviour is not tolerated, is not representative of the vast majority of our drivers, and is subject to the company's disciplinary procedure."

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, June 15, 2004