STONE-THROWING yobs have made Prestwich a no-go area for buses after 7pm in the evening, leaving many people stranded without transport.

Bus company First took the drastic step of withdrawing the 92 and 98 services more than two weeks ago after six buses were attacked in one night near St Mary's Park in Bury New Road.

A crisis meeting to discuss the problem is due to be held today between First, Greater Manchester Transport Executive (GMPTE), local councillors and the police.

First experienced similar problems with vandals in Whitefield in October when a late night service was diverted.

The company operates a "traffic lights" warning system to deal with such incidents, with red alert meaning a service is withdrawn for seven days.

Buses travelling through Prestwich were put on red alert on December 2 after six buses were stoned by youths.

While no one was injured a bus window was smashed and the services were withdrawn for seven days from December 3.

They were due to return on December 10 but went back on for one night and another incident of vandalism occurred.

A spokesman for First said: "The services were taken back off again as it only takes one more incident to force the decision when a bus has been on red. The buses should have returned this week but a meeting has been arranged at Bury police station to review what is going on. Our prime concern is the safety of our customers and drivers."

The services affected are the 92 and 98 which usually travel from Bury to Manchester via Prestwich. Since the attacks the buses have been stopping at Whitefield and returning to Bury. From Manchester the services stop at Carr Clough, cutting out Prestwich altogether.

Coun Gordon Sharkey, a member of GMPTE, said: "I am very annoyed with the way things have gone. Taking the buses off is not the answer as it means these people who throw stones are winning the day. I would like the police to give it a higher profile. To have no buses running down Bury New Road is not on, as many people don't have cars and they are going to be cut off especially at Christmas."

Insp Anthony Simpson, operational policing unit manager at Bury Police, said they were taking the matter seriously and there were police operations focusing on St Mary's Park and the problem of youths causing annoyance.

He added: "It has got to be a partnership approach and we need to look at making the buses less attractive. The youths are attacking buses and not cars, perhaps because they see it as a victimless crime. However, it is a problem because it is a highly impacted crime. If the bus service is withdrawn it affects a lot of people. It could cause a serious accident."

He said compared to the rest of Greater Manchester, Bury's problem was still relatively low.