SOME are back seat rebels, others fall in to the category of front seat greeters.

In fact, wherever you sit on a double-decker bus, you fall into a certain category.

And, according to a university professor, your choice of seat speaks volumes about your personality.

The habits of Bolton passengers were studied by Dr Tom Fawcett, a psychology expert at the University of Salford.

He said: “With something as habitual as getting on a bus, people may find it surprising that their choice of seat can actually reveal an aspect of their personality.

“Where you prefer sitting can expose how you react to social situations, what kind of temperament you have and even what your interests are likely to be.”

The study was commissioned by bus company First to mark the launch of four new double-decker buses on the 36 and 37 routes from Bolton to Manchester. It claims passengers fall into one of seven character types, depending on where they sit on a double-decker.

According to the study, those who sit at the front on the top deck are forward thinkers, who like to keep abreast of the news and the latest gossip.

Rebellious risk-takers like to sit at the back on the top deck of the bus, often in groups, and they do not like it when other people invade their “zone”.

Those who sit in the middle two rows on the top deck are independent thinkers.

They are usually younger to middle-aged passengers, and are more likely to listen to their iPods or read a newspaper.

Downstairs, those at the front are meeters and greeters. They are conservative, traditional and want the same space every time.

They tend to be older, and see travelling as a social occasion.

At the back again are the risk-takers, again likely to travel in groups. They are often loud and extrovert and, sitting on a raised seat, like to see themselves as having an elevated status.

The downstairs middle seats are the central cogs, the most common type in Bolton. They are often strong communicators, and like to talk to those at the front and the back of the bus.

The final category is the chameleon — those who have no preference for where they sit.