A German bus driver faces a possible £8,500 fine because he refused to allow a woman wearing a niqab to board the service.

The incident happened in Emden, Lower Saxony according to local media.

Police claimed they are investigating the incident, which they describe as 'an administrative offence'. The maximum fine is £8,500.

The pregnant woman was told she could not get on a bus because of her niqab, file photograph

The incident happened on Thursday in the Lower Saxony city of Emden, Germany, file picture

According to The Local.de, the woman, who is pregnant, was travelling on Thursday with her husband.

It is understood the bus was a privately operated service.

The woman's husband reported the matter to police and to the local council.

The private company was contracted by the city of Emden to run the service.

Temmo Poppenga of Emden city authority said: 'This type of thing cannot be allowed to happen and must not be repeated.'