A scheme which helped fund essential training for professional drivers was just the ticket for an independent Bolton bus company.

Maytree Travel boss Gary Hawthorne saved about £18,000 out of the £30,000 full cost of training for his drivers under the government Train to Gain scheme for small companies funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

He was helped with the grant by Business Bolton and was able to send bus drivers on courses to gain their certificates of professional competence demanded by new Government legislation and also part fund NVQ Level Two courses.

The private bus company, which has just celebrated its first birthday, funded the course fee shortfall and provided transport to the courses held in Manchester.

The company, based in Cuthbert Street, Bolton, is keen to help its drivers gain extra qualifications, as part of its commitment to its workforce.

Mr Hawthorne said the company has thrived during the recession and the recent bus strikes which affected First Manchester routes have also helped boost turnover.

When he bought the company one year ago, Mr Hawthorne said its turnover was less than £1 million, but this year, following an expansion of routes, it will have a turnover of £2.2 million — £200,000 more than planned.

He said: “This year has been fantastic for us and I think it is because we provide a good, professional service which the public clearly appreciates.

“We are a small, locally owned family firm, with local employees and because we are not a big corporate company, we can react to local issues, quickly when we need to.”

Maytree Travel operates 18 buses on 20 routes all over Bolton and now has 51 staff, of which 46 are drivers. He is looking to expand to 25 buses covering more routes within the next few months and hopes to secure more routes into Salford.