A Bristol pensioner suffered shocking facial injuries after a First bus was forced to stop suddenly.

Margaret Prosser, of Stockwood, who was sat down on the 54 bus, was thrown violently forward into the seat facing her.

The 77-year-old says seats facing each other at the back of the double decker buses are unsafe because there is nothing for passengers to hold onto to avoid being thrown around.

She also claimed that First have failed to check on her condition after the incident at 11.30am on February 15 at Broadmead, which resulted in cuts to her forehead and nose as well as extensive bruising.

First claims it has spoken to her.

The former civil servant was taken to Bristol Royal Infirmary, treated overnight and given eight stitches.

"I had taken my seat and the next thing I knew I was hitting the seat in front of me," Miss Prosser said.

"I could feel the pain in my face but was conscious throughout. There was blood everywhere. Luckily one of the passengers was a former ambulance driver and held a handkerchief to my head.

"I don't blame the driver and would like to say thank you to him and the other gentleman for helping me.

"However the seats at the back of the bus are just not safe because there is nothing you can hold onto to stop yourself.

"I am a bit dubious about getting back on the bus but when I do I will be avoiding those seats."

She added: "I am surprised First haven't bothered to check on me because the man there said they would clean my coat and jumper and I still have them."

Miss Prosser's sister Audrey Tape, 67, added: "We think the back seats on the buses which face each other are very dangerous because there is nothing for the passenger to stop themselves being thrown forward.

"There are handrails along the bus for those with normal seats and things hanging from the ceiling for those who have to stand but not by these seats.

"The driver had only just set off so was not going fast. Even if it's not the driver's fault they have to stop suddenly – surely passengers are entitled to be safe?"

A spokeswoman for First said: "Following the incident on Monday, February 15, which was caused by a third party pulling out suddenly in front of the bus, a member of our team called Mrs Prosser on Tuesday to enquire as to how she was feeling. He spoke to Mrs Prosser who informed him that she was feeling well.

"We have since been in touch again to double check that this is correct, and follow up on our initial offer to have her clothes dry cleaned for her.

"The location of seat and hand poles at the very rear of a bus is complicated by the need to provide a clear and unimpeded route to the offside emergency exit, but all of our vehicles meet the minimum safety standards set out by the Government and they are regularly checked for compliance."