A PREGNANT mum claimed she was told to get off a bus with her two-year-old daughter even though there was standing room.

Louisa Nowrie and toddler Holly boarded the First Bus 524 near Radcliffe Metrolink Station to travel to Dumers Lane, Radcliffe at 12.30pm last Friday.

But Louisa, who lives on the Riverside Bank estate, said that she was told to get off because the bus was full. It was only after a prolonged argument that she was allowed to stay on the vehicle.

However, a spokesman for First Bus defended the driver, saying he was acting in the interests of the "health and safety of all passengers".

Louisa said: "Because Holly was in a buggy I wanted to stand and keep my hand on the buggy.

"I could not fold it because I recently had an operation, which I explained to the driver," said Louisa (26) who is three months pregnant.

"It clearly states that there is standing room for 22 people. There was no one else standing. The driver held up the bus for half-an-hour refusing to move unless I got off the bus."

Mum and daughter were finally allowed to travel.

The spokesman for the bus company said that the child's buggy posed a safety hazard by blocking the aisle.

He said that the driver concerned was experienced and well respected within the bus company.

"We have written a letter to Mrs Nowrie explaining why we are defending the driver's action. He was doing his job. The last thing we want to do is upset a customer but health and safety is our chief concern and has to come first."

He added: "Hopefully we will be able to send someone in person to explain the situation as well."