A local bus driver has been honoured by local dignitaries after receiving an award for her service.

Nicky Goodland received the ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ award from the Leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Phil North, to recognise her being “the obliging, welcoming face of Stagecoach Andover.”

The award ceremony took place in front of the Guildhall at midday today (September 22), where Nicky and Cllr North were joined by others including Manuela Wahnon, Attitude of Gratitude Campaigner; Steve Godwin, Andover BID Manager; Nigel Lukowski, Stagecoach Operations Manager; Councillor Karen Hamilton and Reverend Jill Bentall.

Paying tribute to Nicky, Cllr North said: “Today we honour a person who has that attitude [of gratitude] in spades. Someone who has a zest for life, whose smile is always 100 per cent genuine, who will always go above and beyond and out of her way for others.

He continued: “Making sure [the bus] is safe and clean for passengers, for being there for others, talking to them, and making sure they’re ok. She worked always throughout lockdown, and made sure those who had to make essential journeys were able to do so, and she’s already famous at Stagecoach with her image on the side of quite a few of their buses, and now she’s the face of Attitude of Gratitude in Andover.”

After photos were taken, the group subsequently retired to Zintino’s in the Guildhall, with the exception of Cllr Hamilton to ensure they remained within mass gathering guidelines. Here, they spent over an hour drinking coffee and eating eclairs; the latter of which had been donated by Jane Berntsen of Andover Buffets, who described them as “a gift” to Manuela “for all you do for our town.”

Manuela described the ceremony as “exceptionally successful,” and said she was “really chuffed” with everyone involved.