A CHEEKY thief has baffled bosses after a bendy bus went missing.

The double-length single decker disappeared from Bury Interchange last Thursday night, and was recovered several hours later abandoned but undamaged in Chadderton, Oldham.

Due to the coded ignition system (drivers do not need keys to start them) the thief would have had to have knowledge of powering up the bus and then the skill of driving it.

First Bus would not confirm if any existing or ex-employee was under suspicion.

Mr David Doolin, a spokesman for the bus company, said: "The driver of the bus had parked it at Bury Interchange and he then transferred to another.

"The bus was due to be left unattended for only a few minutes before it was scheduled to be returned to the Bury depot. Within that time, someone decided to take it.

"A number of things need to done before these bendy buses can be driven so whoever did take it must have had some knowledge of them."