PENSIONER Dave Stratford could not believe his ears when he was ordered off a bus for carrying a small tin of paint.

The 75-year-old had just made the DIY purchase from B&Q in Fleming Way and was trying to make his way home to Stratton St Margaret when he was thrown off the Number 1a.

He said he was stunned when the driver told he had to get off the bus because the tin of paint was "highly explosive".

The retired electrician, who struggles to walk and is registered disabled, had to stand in the rain for half an hour waiting for his friend to pick him up instead.

"I struggled on to the bus and the driver said you can't come on with that, it's highly explosive, you will have to get off'," he said.

"I stood there in amazement with my mouth open, I was gob-smacked.

"I told him I would take it further."

Grandfather Mr Stratford, of Wheedon Road, bought the 750ml tin of Buckingham green paint on Thursday morning to coat his garage doors.

It was in a plastic bag as he tried to board the 10.25am bus from the bus stop near B&Q.

He said: "I can't drive. I struggle to walk and I'm awaiting a major operation on my left knee so I had to phone a friend to pick me up.

"He was just having his breakfast so I had to wait for about half an hour." To top it off, it was a rainy morning and Mr Stratford didn't have an umbrella so he had to wait in the wet for his lift to arrive.

"I was most upset at the time, but I've got over it now," he said.

"It was a shock. I mean there was no notice to say you can't carry paint. I don't think there is a health and safety risk."

The incident is reminiscent of one in Cardiff about a year ago when 73-year-old RAF veteran Brian Heale was kicked off a bus for carrying a tin of paint on "health and safety" grounds.

In spite of his experience, Mr Stratford, who is married to Daphne and has a grown-up daughter and two grandchildren, said that he would have to continue catching buses because he had no other way of getting about.

Thamesdown Transport said that it would investigate the incident if Mr Stratford put the matter in writing to the company.

Thamesdown's managing director Paul Jenkins apologised for the inconvenience caused. He admitted the driver was wrong to say he couldn't carry the paint for fear of an explosion but said it was "discouraged" from buses for fear of spillage.

"I am sorry to hear of the inconvenience the gentleman was put to," said Mr Jenkins.

"It is company policy not to carry tins of paint because of the risk of spillage but the driver was incorrect to suggest it was due to a potential explosion.

"I would always advise people to keep all belongings in a bag and keep them secure."