THE campaign for Music Free Buses reached new heights when London Mayor Ken Livingstone was grilled by members of the London Assembly.

Over the last couple of months, the Guardian has reported the efforts of resident Tom Wright who started campaigning for Music Free Buses. His aim has been to put an end to the playing of loud music on mobile phones while travelling on the bus.

The campaign quickly gathered pace across the capital and more than 3,000 people have signed an online petition calling for music on buses to be banned.

It has gained cross-party support from London Assembly members Roger Evans (Conservative member for Havering and Redbridge), Valerie Shawcross (Labour), Jennie Jones (Green Party), Joanne McCartney (Labour) and Labour member for Waltham Forest, Jennette Arnold. Leyton Councillor Miranda Grell has also pledged her support.

The group asked Mr Livingstone to press Transport for London (TfL) into putting up posters on the buses to make passengers aware of a ban on playing music out loud.

TfL has thanked Mr Wright for the invaluable response the website has drawn in from public transport users who have posted their comments about travelling on London buses.

TfL will launch a publicity awareness campaign for music free buses in the spring, however Mr Wright wants something to be done as soon as possible.

He said:"TfL has certainly changed its position but we will keep going because we would like to see it launch the campaign in the new year.

"The longer people think they can play music out loud on buses, the more they will feel they have a right to do it."

The petition will be presented to the Transport for London Commissioner, Peter Hendy, at a meeting of the London Assembly on December 6.

Mr Wright has also made a video to support the campaign which can be viewed on the website www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP254kR_vaQ.

To sign up in support log on to www.hovis21.com