A FAMILY have today issued a heartfelt thanks to Ipswich Buses after its staff's quick thinking actions helped find their missing elderly aunt.

A FAMILY have today issued a heartfelt thanks to Ipswich Buses after its staff's quick thinking actions helped find their missing elderly aunt.

Doris Manning, 92, was due to be collected by her nieces and taken to Ipswich Hospital for an appointment but when they arrived at her home, she was nowhere to be found.

Carers had seen her head towards the bus stop in Handford Road, so her nieces Linda Arnold and Mandy Manning set off to find her. They spent two and a half hours searching all over town and were becoming increasingly worried.

It was then they decided to contact the control room of Ipswich Buses and put a description of her out on their intercom, which goes through to all the bus drivers, in the vain hope that someone would spot her.

Amazingly a driver saw an elderly lady in Renfrew Road who matched the description of Doris and she was able to be collected by her family.

Mrs Arnold, 60, of Bacon Road, Barham, said: “She had gone off to go to the appointment by herself. She's a very independent lady.

“We looked for her at all the bus stops nearby and even waited at the hospital for a while to see if she would arrive there. We would have never even gone near Renfrew Road because it is off the beaten track.

“We just want to thank Ipswich Buses. If it hadn't been for them, we would have never found her. We were very worried as she could have been anywhere. We were moments away from calling the police. We are so grateful to Ipswich Buses.”

Miss Manning was found by her family slumped over a wall as she was exhausted. However once they got her home, she was fit again after a hot dinner.

Paul West, chairman of Ipswich Buses, said: “The drivers are well thought-of among the general public. This is a good example of Ipswich Buses working for the community.

“Well done to all the staff at Ipswich Buses who played a part in finding the lady.”

Do you want to thank someone who has done something amazing for you? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.