THE Music Free Buses campaign has unearthed a bone of contention among public transport users.

The campaign, launched by Leyton resident Tom Wright, to ban people from playing music on their mobile phones while travelling on London buses has gained the support of nearly 2,000 Londoners in less than a week.

Around 2,250 people have signed a petition calling on Transport for London (TfL) to keep buses quiet, and around 1,000 of them posted comments on the Music Free Buses website highlighting other troubles on public transport.

Tina and Allen Vickery of Church Avenue, Highams Park, said: "In addition to music, we also get annoyed with constant mobile phone calls and food being eaten on buses, especially the strong smelling, hot take-away meals. Ban all of these three problems and let people travel with some degree of comfort."

Waltham Forest resident Leanne Murphy said: "Something that annoys me on the buses is when people take on pushchairs either filled with shopping or with a child that is clearly too old to be in the pushchair who could walk.

"This takes up valuable space for another person who has a small baby and genuinely needs the space, the driver then turns them away."

The campaign started by Mr Wright, 31, and his girlfriend Valeria Martinelli, 38, has attracted attention from all over the country through the internet and interviews on BBC News.

Mr Wright said: "We have been shocked in the sense that it has happened so quickly but we knew the vast majority of commuters are fed up with it.

"The UK Noise Association have told me not to give up, and I am not going to, I am going to push this until I see a change made. I am going to make sure I am heard.

"If this petition is not enough I will get as many signatures as we need because I know they are out there. I have got enough spare time and determination to make sure there is a change."

To sign up in support of the Music Free Buses campaign log on to www.hovis21.com or write to TfL London Buses Customer Services, 84, Eccleston Square, London SW1V 1PX.