Couple's victory over bus music

More than 3,000 have signed the couple's petition

A couple who campaigned against other passengers playing music on the buses have claimed a victory following the launch of new posters.

Tom Wright and girlfriend Valeria Martinelli, from Leyton, east London, set up an online petition last summer.

About 3,000 people backed their campaign which called for London's buses to be music-free.

The new posters being displayed on London's buses now warn travellers not to use loudspeakers.

The posters will replace original signs which simply asked passengers to keep their music down.

Bottles thrown

"We've actually got what we've asked for," said Tom. "We've actually got a sign specifically stating that you can't play music out loud which we wanted put on buses."

Ms Martinelli said the couple's online campaign struck a strong resonance with the travelling public.

She said: "We have had emails from people signing the petition who've said they've been threatened, they've had bottles thrown at them and they've been threatened with hammers.

"We've even heard of a case in Richmond where somebody was beaten up by a gang of young people."

The couple said the new poster campaign would only work if it was properly enforced.

"With a lack of conductors they're still leaving it for passengers to police themselves which is a worry," said Mr Wright.

But union leaders have voiced concerns over a ban, saying it would force drivers to police buses which could potentially leave them vulnerable to assault.