New Routemaster tested by mayor

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has put a prototype of the new Routemaster bus through its paces.

Mr Johnson was at the Millbrook test facility in Bedfordshire, where the bus's handling, emissions and engine performance are being tested.

Transport for London (TfL) said the bus will be 40% more efficient than normal double-decker vehicles.

If tests are successful, the new Routemasters could be on the streets of central London by early 2012, TfL said.