Only on Brian Kilham’s last day driving the No.63 bus did the service turn up late in Oxford.

Villagers in Appleton, who say they can set their watch by the time the bus arrives, hijacked the White’s bus to give a leaving present to their favourite driver.

Mr Kilham, from Didcot, has driven the route for the past eight years, but it is now being taken over by a new operator.

Villager Alan Feast, 73, said hundreds of people would miss his personal touch.

He said: “Brian knows everybody, and gives us all Christmas cards.

“He knows where we live and drops people at the entrance to their homes, and helps them off the bus with their shopping.

“He always greets people with a smile, and you can set your watch by the time the bus turns up.”

Mr Feast said that when the bus broke down, Mr Kilham would jump in his car and drive along the route alerting passengers waiting at bus stops.

Fellow bus-user Betty Griffths, 70, said: “We were all hoping very much he could continue as our bus driver.”

Passengers contributed to a whip-round, which was presented to the 63-year-old old as he drove the final White’s service to Oxford on Saturday.

As Mr Kilham’s bus rounded the corner of Eaton Road for the last time, a reception party including his wife Rosie had gathered at the bus stop to surprise him.

And despite his reputation for punctuality, villagers insisted he get out of the bus for the brief presentation.

Mr Kilham said: “It’s been a pleasure seeing people every week and making friends with them all.

“I’m really honoured that they should think so much of me.”

The service is set to be taken over by new operator RH Transport, and is being extended to six-days a week.