AN unemployed driver yesterday launched a legal bid against a Wallingford bus firm, claiming that he was denied work because he is black and too old.

Zimbabwean-born Richard Mandunya, 47, is seeking compensation for loss of income and the offer of a similar or higher ranked job from Thames Travel in Lester Way.

But the firm said Mr Mandunya did not have enough experience as he had only worked as a bus driver for two short stints totalling nine months. He was not invited to an interview.

Mr Mandunya told the Reading tribunal: “I am more than capable of doing this job. The decision not to employ me is flawed.

“It is my view that they were not comfortable to employ a person of my nationality in a company of all whites.”

Mr Mandunya, of St Aldate’s, Oxford, said: “I was further discriminated against because of my age. The company should pay compensation for the time it takes me to get a new job.”

But Thames Travel managing director John Wright said half the firm’s workforce was aged 41-60 and added that five employees were from outside the EU.

The firm requires at least 12 months experience from applicants, he said.

Mr Wright said: “He worked for six months at the Oxford Bus Company but his contract was not renewed and therefore his performance must not have been satisfactory.”

Tribunal judge Richard Byrne said the claim had “little reasonable chance of success”.

He said: “He didn’t have the required experience to meet the job specification and therefore it would be very difficult to show that the principal reason for not being offered a position was his race.”

He gave Mr Mandunya 30 days to pay a £100 deposit to proceed.