A BUS driver has been caught on camera trying to load an e-cigarette while driving down a busy road.

The shocking footage — which shows the First bus driver fiddling with his e-cig for more than a minute — was filmed by a concerned passenger.

First has now launched an investigation after the footage was shown to transport bosses by The Bolton News.

In the video, the driver is seen messing with the device for just over 60 seconds repeatedly looking down at what he is doing before again checking the road.

Passenger Natalie Kinsella was sitting on the number 37 bus while travelling to work and says she was shocked to see the driver with the e-cig.

The 30-year-old said the driver spent about four minutes firstly smoking the e-cigarette — and then fiddling with it while driving on a busy road.

Miss Kinsella, who lives in Farnworth, was travelling to Little Lever School where she works as a dinner lady.

She filmed the driver while he was driving down Long Causeway in Farnworth, at about noon on Monday September 21.

She said: "I don't think he should be sacked — but I do think something needs to be done.

"There is a reason people have been banned from using phones while driving a car and doing this while driving is distracting and dangerous as well."

Matt Rawlinson, business manager at First Manchester, said: "This is a very serious incident reported by one of our customers and we have launched an immediate investigation. 

"This behaviour reflects badly on the majority of our drivers who share our important safety values and follow the high driving standards we expect." 

It will become illegal for drivers to smoke cigarettes in a car with anyone under the age of 18 present from October 1 for health reasons.

However it is not illegal for people to smoke e-cigarettes while driving in their own car.

The law states that smoking a cigarette is not allowed in any work vehicle that more than one person uses — including taxis and buses — however that law does not apply to e-cigarettes.

A spokesman for the Department of Health said that new legislation set to come into force in October, regarding the smoking of cigarettes in private vehicles, does not affect e-cigarettes or their use on buses.

The spokesman said that it would be down to individual bus operators to determine policy on the smoking of e-cigarettes.

First said it strongly discourages drivers and passengers from vaping while on buses as it wishes to create a "pleasant environment" for all bus users.