For Sam, prom started at the bus stop.

The 16-year-old bus enthusiast got a free personalised lift to his school prom after trentbarton worked with his mum, Gemma, to surprise him with a special service to Heanor Gate Spencer Academy’s leavers’ party at Pride Park Stadium.

Sam has been a bus spotter from an early age, and his grandad was a diesel engineer for trentbarton for 28 years.

In October, Gemma met trentbarton staff at a sixth form open evening and asked if it was possible to organise a personalised bus for her son’s prom.

“I just said, ‘I want to sort something that my son will remember for the rest of his life’,” she said, adding that she was willing to pay for the one-off service.

The company agreed to her “wacky idea” and provided the whole experience free of charge, including decorations.

Gemma said it was difficult keeping the transport plans a secret from Sam until the day of the prom on Friday.

Sam waited at his usual bus stop and was shocked when the bus that came around the corner displayed his name.

“We had party lights, music, a disco ball and it was amazing, we had the best time of our lives,” Sam said.

“It was just out of this world, because I thought I was just going to catch a normal H1 bus to Derby Bus Station,” he said.

“All my friends were like, ‘How did you get a bus? I wanted to come on the bus with you’,” he added.

“Everyone was just amazed and clapped when I pulled up and I got out of the bus.”

Scarlet McCourt, from trentbarton, said: “When we had the chance to help make Sam’s prom extra special, we were only too happy to get involved.

“Seeing his excitement and helping bring a long-held dream to life was a wonderful experience for our team.”

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