Hundreds of commuters and school pupils across Dorset struggled to get to work and school, as more than 30 drivers protested about their pay and working conditions at Weymouth bus station.

The drivers, members of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, are seeking a pay rise from £5 to £5.50 an hour. They have been offered £5.25.

Glenn Taylor, 40, a bus driver from Chickerell, who works on the number 31 service from Weymouth to Axminster, said:

"Other drivers in the country are getting £8 or £9 an hour, and First won't give us £5.50. It is disgraceful.

"Our job is to carry people from place to place, their lives are in our hands, and I think we deserve more."

Drivers who belong to the Transport and General Workers' Union were instructed to work as normal - but only a few crossed the picket line today.

And the members of the travelling public voiced support for the drivers' cause, despite being inconvenienced by the strike.

Damien Hicks, 29, a bricklayer from Portland, said: "I usually catch a bus to work, but this morning I had to get a lift, and I don't know how I will get back home.

"But I sympathise with the drivers, they are only asking for a few more pennies - I hope they get it."

Lifeguard Robert Parry, 22, also from Portland, depends on First buses to get him to Bowleaze Cove.

He said: "I was not aware there was a strike on today. It is not good news, because coming all the way from Portland you need the buses to be running. I will have to get a taxi this morning. But I support the drivers striking about pay, because we could all do with more money."

Five schools were put on a priority list for bus services this morning - All Saints in Wyke Regis, St Augustine's in Weymouth, Thomas Hardye and St Osmund's in Dorchester, and Puddletown First School.

First operations manager, Simon Newport, said: "We are pleased that a few drivers have decided they would prefer to serve the interests of the children."

Operations director, Paul Jenkins, said: "There are no other local services at the moment, although the express service to London has been able to leave the depot.

"We had hoped to run a skeleton service, but it doesn't look like we can do that now.

"We are having some very constructive chats with the drivers and doing what we can behind the scenes."