British bus in 'potty' paint ban

A British bus company today defended banning a passenger from carrying a paint pot on one of its vehicles.

Stagecoach, in Cambridge, said its policy was designed to protect customers and property.

Simon Virr, 33, of Waterbeach, near Cambridge, was barred from boarding a bus in Cambridge on Monday because he was carrying a five-litre pot of emulsion.

He told the Cambridge News the ban was “ridiculous”.

But Philip Norwell, a commercial director at the firm, said: “If it is spilt, it could go everywhere and affect numerous people.

“The driver has the discretion to ban anything being brought on board that could cause damage to the bus or customers’ property.”