The pensioner was unable to attract help after she was left on the bus

Stroke victim Nelly Burns, 79, was left in the bus parked outside a day centre in Maesteg - unable to walk.

Her husband Haydn, 83, raised the alarm when she failed to return to their home in Maesteg, south Wales, last Thursday.

A Bridgend council spokesman said two people have been suspended and a "thorough investigation" was under way.

Mrs Burns, who cannot walk and has difficulty talking, was helped on to the minibus after spending the day at the Vernon Hart Day Centre in Maesteg.

She was due to be taken home accompanied by a carer and the driver along with other pensioners.

She was trapped in and had been on her own for almost four hours Husband Haydn Burns

But she remained on the bus at the end of the night and no-one noticed her when the bus was parked up for the night.

The driver locked the vehicle and went home.

Unable to talk or move to raise the alarm or undo her seatbelt, Mrs Burns was eventually found by social services staff when her husband, a retired bricklayer, said she was missing.

"When she wasn't home at 5.30 as usual I rang social services and asked them what was going on," said Mr Burns, who lives with his wife in Maesteg.

"They were scratching their heads to start with but they went to the day centre and found her still on the minibus in the dark and cold.

"She was trapped in and had been on her own for almost four hours".

Mrs Burns needed medical treatment for mild hypothermia when she finally got home because she was so cold.

Mrs Burns was being taken home from the centre

Head of social services at Bridgend Council Tony Garthwaite confirmed that two people had been suspended.

He said: "We have instigated an immediate and thorough investigation.

"Correct procedures have been reinforced and any further appropriate action will be taken. We are offering every support to the family."

But Huw Irranca-Davies, MP for Ogmore, Mrs Burns' constituency, has called for a full inquiry .

He said: "It is appalling for the lady herself and for her family.