A DRUNK bus driver who smashed into a row of cars has been banned from the roads for three years.

David Rutter, 34, caused thousands in damage after turning up for his shift more than one and a half times over the legal limit.

He left JP Travel's headquarters in Middleton, Rochdale, only to plough his bus into a parked car on a nearby street moments later.

But instead of stopping, Rutter, from Blackley, Manchester, continued to the start of his route leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.

A stunned resident, who owned two of the three cars wrecked in the spree, called police.

The bus driver was pulled up moments later before he had managed to pick up any passengers. He was breathalysed and then arrested.

Rutter pleaded guilty to drink driving, failing to report an accident and leaving the scene of an accident.

He was banned from driving for three years, handed a 12 month community order and ordered to pay £60 costs.

Rochdale magistrates heard how he picked up the bus from the JP depot on 14 February shortly before 6.30am.

But, just moments later, he had ploughed the Trafford Centre-bound number 294, into a Volkswagen Golf on nearby Grimshaw Lane, Middelton.

The impact of that smash forced the Golf to cannon into a black cab which in turn hit a Nissan. All three vehicles were written off but Rutter continued on his way.

Stunned taxi driver Dave Cooper, 35, who owned two of the cars, called police who soon tracked him down.

Mr Cooper said: "He wrote all three vehicles off. I couldn't work for a month. I had to go through my insurance, chase round to get a hire vehicle then had to buy a new cab.

"I spent a lot of time messing about trying to sort it out and lost a lot of money. I have a mortgage to pay - it nearly crippled me financially."

A spokesman for JP Travel said Rutter was sacked as soon as they heard about the incident.

The number 294 calls at Langley, Moston and Trafford Park before ending at Dumplington.

When the M.E.N tried to contact Rutter at the Ainsbrook Avenue address he gave police, the occupant denied knowing him.