A WINCHESTER schoolboy with learning difficulties had his dream come true as he was given a personal tour of the city's bus depot.

Jowen Airs, 12, was treated to a special day at Bar End after his grandmother told Stagecoach of his passion for transport.

The Osborne School pupil, of Oliver's Battery, can memorise and recite bus routes, numbers and timetables.

Grandmother Jennifer Lacey told of his "immense thrill" after the firm took Jowen and dad Peter Airs around the site and offered a private ride on one of their new King's City buses.

“It was way above any of their expectations and to be able to sit in the driver's seat was an immense thrill for Jowen," she said. "The depot tour was very interesting for both Jowen and his father, and the hands-on experience for Jowen was his heart's delight.

She added: "The culmination of a private ride as sole passengers on the new bus was beyond anything Jowen could ever imagine and was a perfect end to a perfect day.”

Engineeers also showed the pair how they repair vehicles.

Trevor Kimber, senior controller for Winchester said: “Young Jowen was quite a knowledgeable boy with service numbers and routes even putting his dad right on the routes. It was pleasure to show him and his dad around.”

The 12-year-old left with a Stagecoach goodie bag and a free bus pass.

Stagecoach promotes The National Autistic Society's posters on its buses and says it feels strongly about autism and learning difficulty awareness.