Joan Stickland, 81, fell over on the 1A First bus service in East Street, Fareham, when the driver lurched forward.

The sudden movement caused her to fall on to a step towards the back of the bus, gashing her left leg open so badly the bus had to be taken out of service to be cleaned.

Since the accident in April 2007, Mrs Stickland, of Alum Way, Fareham, has been unable to pursue her hobbies of gardening, cycling and walking.

She's had to make numerous hospital trips, including having an operation under general anaesthetic to have a skin graft.

But after lengthy wranglings by solicitors and the threat of county court proceedings, First have made the payout to Mrs Stickland.

She said: 'It's changed just about everything in my life, really.

'Before this I was quite active. Sometimes I used to walk into town and back again without problem, go cycling and drive, but I can't do any of
that now.

'I have to rely on my husband and other people a lot more now. I find it so annoying to have to rely on them. Before this I was a very independent lady.

'I still fall over from time to time and that is because of this. I can't even do any gardening because I can't bend down – it has really restricted my movement.

'Ironically, it doesn't really hurt because I don't have any feeling around there any more.'

Husband Richard Stickland added: 'She needs my help to get out of bed in the morning, to get dressed, to make breakfast. When she goes out in the car I almost have to lift her into it.

'She would give that money back willingly for the accident to have never happened.'

The £20,000 sum includes about £2,500 of expenses incurred by the couple since the accident.

Chris Bainbridge, operations director, First Hampshire and Dorset, said: 'We are deeply sorry that Mrs Stickland was injured whilst travelling on one of our buses last year.

'Accidents are rare but they do happen on occasion and when they do, they are investigated thoroughly and the appropriate action is taken.'

She added that, although the staff member involved was still employed by First, he was no longer a driver.