PECKISH drivers are leaving passengers waiting in vain at bus stops while they eat their sandwiches, it has been claimed.

Some people have spent up to 45 minutes waiting for a First Midland Red bus on the St Peter's estate.

And others are missing connecting trains and being late for work, according to Councillor Robert Rowden.

He is urging people to come forward if they have been made to wait for a bus on the St Peter's route.

"People miss their trains and are late for work. The company is supposed to keep to a schedule and I want them to collect schoolchildren in St Peter's who, at the moment, are being forced to go to the city centre bus station and then catch a connection which is often late," said Coun Rowden.

"They should be able to get a bus straight from St Peter's."

One passenger, who catches the bus from Primrose Crescent, claims he has seen three buses go by and not return for 45 minutes.

"The distance the bus has to travel to come back and pick me up would take no more than 10 minutes' walk," said the man, who asked not to be named.

"I have been late for work and my daughter has been late for school. Old people are left cold in the winter."

He claims drivers have admitted to him that the route is a well-known stopping point for a sandwich break.

Austin Birks, commercial manager for First Midland Red, said he needed people to give him the times and dates of their journeys to be able to investigate the matter.

He admitted there had been several complaints about delays on the route.

"I want the public to let us know and then we can follow a correct procedure," said Mr Birks. "It's difficult to comment about drivers eating their sandwiches without any evidence."