A FIFTY-two seater bus proved just the ticket for a thief who embarked on his own mystery tour - knocking down a lamp-post en-route.

The thief jumped into the empty First Midland Red Mercedes bus after spotting its keys had been left in the ignition.

Amazed onlookers watched the bus race along Kidderminster's New Street before ploughing through a lamp-post as it swung into Oxford Street.

Minutes later, the culprit abandoned the vehicle - with its engine running, lights on and in reverse gear - near the Lion Hotel, Lion Street, Kidderminster.

Malcolm Cooper, who was working at the hotel at the time, said staff went to investigate after hearing the bus' reverse warning message.

"It must have been quite a shock for the driver," he said. "We only knew about it because of the continual bleeping.

"It lasted for 10 minutes, so we went to see what was going on and found the empty bus with its engine running, in reverse gear, with the handbrake on."

The culprit - described as white, in his early 20s and wearing a dark T-shirt - was seen running away clutching a brown envelope, just before 7.30pm on Tuesday.

Austin Birks, spokesman for Worcester-based First Midland Red, said new guidelines had already been introduced to ensure it did not happen again.

"We're trying to recruit more drivers, but this is ridiculous," he said.

"This is a serious matter, and someone could have been hurt.

"Keys are left in the ignition for safety reasons and it was never felt anyone was likely to steal a bus. That's now been changed.

"This was a very irresponsible act and we're thankful no one was injured as a result of it."

He declined to say where the bus' original driver had gone at the time of the theft.

Caroline Schubert, of Kidderminster police, appealed for anyone with information to contact officers, on 01562 820888, or via the confidential Crimestoppers line, on 0800 555 111.

- Who was the impromptu bus driver? If you know, contact the Worcester Evening News on 01905 748200 ext 278.