Travel firm names coach after long-serving driver David

Pictured is: (middle) Robert Pressley, managing director of Angela Coaches and Paula Roe, managing director of Angela Holidays, with David Spencer's daughters (left) Elizabeth Pritchard (46), (right) Vicky Spencer (36) and her daughter Adriana Daborn (3). Picture: Sarah Standing (170508-219)

Angela Coaches unveiled the tribute to its former employee at a event attended by staff and friends held at Bursledon Community Centre, in Portsmouth Road.

Driver David Spencer (pictured right) died earlier this year, and staff at the company are keeping his name alive by featuring it on a new VDL Futura coach.

David’s daughters Elizabeth Pritchard, 46, from Hartlepool, and Vicky Spencer, 36, from Gosport, and her three-year-old daughter Adriana Daborn, were at the unveiling.

Elizabeth said: ‘We were completely overwhelmed at this amazing tribute. We feel like he’ll carry on travelling on his journey through this.’

David had worked for the firm for more than 30 years.

Elizabeth said: ‘Coach driving was his life. He always had a story to tell.’

David died aged 66 from cancer in January.

Angela Coaches managing director Robert Pressley said: ‘I was privileged to attend Dave’s funeral in his birthplace of Hartlepool, and I made the decision to honour the fact that Dave had spent the majority of his time in Hampshire working for us.

‘I sincerely hope that our tribute will help his spirit to live on as part of the Angela family.’

Angela Coaches’ staff also raised £315 for the Macmillan Cancer Support charity.

Elizabeth said: ‘We couldn’t be more proud, grateful and thankful. Dad would’ve been really proud.’

Eastleigh MP Mims Davies officially unveiled the new vehicle and the tribute on Thursday.