A QUICK-THINKING bus driver led his passengers to safety when his vehicle caught fire while driving on the A354.

Dorset Fire and Rescue Service were called at 11.07am today to the scene on the A354 Ridgeway, close to the Upwey slip turning.

One fire crew from Weymouth and one standby crew from Bridport attended the scene and reached the incident at 11.11am.

On arrival fire crews located a fire at the rear of the bus in the engine compartment, and used hose reel jets to extinguish the fire.

The bus driver had managed to get all passengers off the bus safely and there were no reported injuries.

25 to 30 passengers were led off the bus prior to the arrival of the fire service and replaced on a replacement bus service.

The cause was believed to be accidental, with minimal damage to the engine area of the bus.