A DEDICATED bus driver, who ferried day care patients across York for more than 19 years, has died.

Roger James, who was 58, worked for City of York Council's social services department, helping to transport clients to and from the Huntington Day Centre.

An RAF armourer for 24 years, Mr James started working for the council following his retirement from the services.

Well-known and liked, he leaves a widow, Elaine, and two sons, Colin and Michael. Elaine said that Roger loved his job and all the people he drove on his bus. He died at York Hospital on Sunday.

Mike Sheridan, of the council's community services department, said: "The job that Roger did and particularly the customers that he dealt with - often with learning difficulties - takes a special kind of person.

"To sustain that for 19 years is testimony itself to the kind of character Roger was. He will be sadly missed by all of his work colleagues and by those customers who he built a relationship with."

Updated: 08:51 Thursday, April 10, 2003