A SHORTAGE of drivers at a Kidderminster bus depot has prompted a major recruitment campaign among young people by a Worcester based travel firm.

First Midland Red has revealed it has found it so hard to attract bus drivers to its Worcester, Kidderminster and Redditch depots it even considered recruiting in South Africa.

Talks were abandoned due to practical difficulties.

Company spokesman Austin Birks said the firm was currently six to seven drivers down on normal staffing levels at the Kidderminster depot.

However, he said the shortage had not yet really affected services in the town, unlike Worcester which is 15 drivers short.

He said the firm, like many other travel companies, was experiencing difficulty recruiting and retaining drivers due to the comparatively low numbers of unemployed.

To combat the problem the company launched a recruitment drive last May aimed at attracting 17-year-olds.

Mr Birks said while the campaign attracted a lot of interest, many inquirers did not hold car driving licences and the scheme had now been widened to include unqualified drivers.

Suitable school-leaver recruits will now have the chance to obtain a car driving licence before going on to a further two-month intensive course.

Interviews are expected to take place in the near future.