A BUS driver is swapping the 232 for London 2012.
Tony Lane, 62, can normally be seen driving through Denby Dale and Clayton West.
But from July 13, the grandad-of-two will be behind the wheel on a new patch.
He is set to take on a top job as chauffeur to sponsors, dignitaries and athletes in a sparkling new BMW.
Tony said: “I am over the moon.
“I applied to be a volunteer as soon as we heard that the Olympics were coming to London.
“I knew there were 250,000 that had applied to get involved and I just didn’t think I would get a place.
“After a few months I was told I was being considered for a driving job and some months later I was invited for interview in Manchester.
“I went and they told me my driving experience meant that I had the chance of getting a good job.
“But again, I heard nothing for months.
“Finally, I was told that I had got the job as a driver and in fact it was quite a top job taking lots of people about.
“I am so excited, I just love sports and cannot wait to be down there.
“Everyone at the Huddersfield Bus Company has been so understanding and my boss Mark Knott encouraged me to take the once in a lifetime opportunity.
“This is something that I will never ever see again.
“Perhaps my grandchildren will in their lifetime but I certainly won’t and really wanted to make the most of it.”
Tony has been working as a bus driver for the past 13 years.
Before this, he had worked at Huddersfield Market running a fruit and veg stall.
He will be taking people from the airport, the ExCel arena and around other part of the Olympic grounds.
His five-weeks will start on July 13 and he will finish on August 16.
Tony, who lives in Netherton, continued: “I am a lifelong sports fan.
“Any sport, you name it, I love watching it.
“Rugby union, athletics, basketball and even the equestrian events.
“It’s all fascinating and how special that they are going to be here in our country.
“It is an honour to be involved and I cannot wait to get down to London and start the job.”
