Office staff are being drafted in to drive buses around Kenilworth and Coventry as driver shortages continue across the region.

National Express Coventry said it's "all hands on deck" and that "everyone who can drive is driving" as it continues to look for more staff.

The operator, which runs the 11 and 24 buses through Kenilworth, says it has seven per cent fewer drivers than it needs and has introduced a ten-step plan to keep its service running properly.

It says drivers will now be paid more - up to £28,500 per year - following "close work with unions".

Part time and shorter week options are being offered, and full training is now being rolled out so new starters simply need a driving licence.

National Express is also investing in ten garages across the region and has created three new training schools.

A company statement said: "If you've been on one of our buses recently, you may have experienced a delay, it might have been very busy or even the bus might not have turned up. 

"We exist for our customers and, because we know how important it is to get you from A-B, we are sincerely sorry if we let you down. We wanted to let you know why this is happening and what we're doing about it.

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"As things have re-opened post-pandemic, we've experienced a driver shortage in the West Midlands. And it's not just us, there's a shortage of drivers across the UK.

"We're known as a good employer in the West Midlands, which has helped cushion the blow to some extent but we still have seven per cent fewer bus drivers than we need - and that means sometimes services are late, busy or cancelled."