A parent has expressed his outrage after footage emerged of a school bus driver smoking a cigarette at the wheel.

The man, who has since been let go, is shown puffing away as children climb aboard his coach at the start of the school run in Staple Street, Wingham this morning.

The video was captured by Glenn Westfield, who had just seen off his 14-year-old daughter Charline when the Sandwich Technology School pupil alerted him to what was happening.

Scroll down for video and audio

The video, shot from the family's kitchen, shows the driver throwing his cigarette out of the window before driving off.

Mr Westfield, 49, said: "I was pretty devastated actually. My daughter has a kidney disease and spends a lot of time in London hospitals.

"She is on some serious medication that suppresses her immune system and she catches things very easily. So something we try to avoid is her being around people who smoke.

"Even any kid perfectly healthy shouldn't be around people who smoke."

Mr Westfield added: "This law has been in force for a long time now and he (the driver) has no respect whatsoever. I was pretty annoyed."

"I don't know the company but they should vet their drivers a bit better and make sure it doesn't happen again."

The father-of-four complained to his daughter's school and Roberts Coaches, who told him the driver was a temporary member of staff.

The company, which is based in Canterbury, has issued a letter of apology to parents.

Video: School bus driver smokes at the wheel

Mary Roberts, owner, said: "We have been made aware of the incident on the school bus this morning.

"We have dealt with this matter with immediate effect and the driver will NOT be driving for Roberts Coaches any longer.

"We wish to apologise for any upset that has occurred and can only make sure that this does not happen again."

What's the law?

Under UK law it is illegal to smoke in a private vehicle with a minor present except for convertible cars with the roof fully down.

Company vehicles are also required to be smoke-free if they are used to transport members of the public or used in the course of paid or voluntary work by more than one person.

The rules don't apply to e-cigarettes and in both cases the rules are not actively enforced by many police forces.