What makes a good bus driver? It's all about dedication and treating people with respect, according to Natasha Lambert, who has been named London's top bus driver.

The Mitcham mum-of-two, whose dad was a bus driver and who used to be an assessor for the Institue of Advanced Motorists (IAM), has been navigating 12 routes across the capital out of Go Ahead London's Colliers Wood depot since 2001.

Asked why she thinks she scooped the prize, she said: "I am still in shock. I suppose I have been at the garage so long and I have never been off sick. I'm very dedicated to the job."

Ms Lambert, from Mitcham Eastfields, beat seven other nominees to win the prize at last month's UK Bus Awards.

Judges said they were impressed with her "welcoming smile, skilful driving and ability to calm an irate passenger over delays beyond her control."

Best London bus driver: Natasha Lambert collects her award and the UK Bus Awards ceremony 

She said: "The best thing I like is seeing the old dears because I used to work for the elderly and I like caring for them and making sure they're comfortable.

"In every job you do treat everyone with respect and good things will come in return."

Bus-driving wasn't her earliest career ambition.

She has previously worked as a care worker at a private residential home in Tooting, cash room supervisor at the depot and trainer and assessor for IAM.

She said: "My father was a bus driver for 32 years and I loved driving.

"He tried to discourage me but he was very happy about it in the end."

Transport commissioner for London, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, presented Ms Lambert with the award at the UK Bus Awards Ceremony last month.

She said she plans to celebrate over Christmas with her son, Troy, 11 and daughter, Tia, 6, over Christmas.