On Thursday, December 13, my wife and I arranged to be taken to the Thornhill park-and-ride at Headington, Oxford, to catch the 4am Gloucester Green-Gatwick coach.

It was the first stage of an 18-hour trip to visit our daughter in Florida.

When we arrived, there were already three people waiting for the bus which arrived late, at 4.30am. By this time, four more people had joined those of us already waiting.

When the bus finally arrived, it had been decided, unbeknown to the public, to combine the Heathrow and Gatwick services on to one small coach.

My wife and I are both pensioners and were not as physically able as the other members of the waiting group.

We had to struggle with our three cases, and consequently found ourselves at the end of the queue.

When we finally attempted to board the bus, the driver told us that there was no more room.

He was completely unhelpful and unconcerned at leaving my wife and me at Thornhill, stranded and distressed, in subzero temperatures, and with no means of contacting anyone at 4.40am.

It was criminal that this driver should abandon us in this manner, without a care for our wellbeing or safety.

The incompetent and insensitive operation of this bus service, which did not fulfill its advertised commitment, is unforgivable.

R COWAN Banbury