PARENTS are demanding an apology after school pupils were showered with shattered glass.

Rebecca Armstrong was among a group of school children waiting at the bus stop outside St John's Church on Atherton Road at Hindley Green. She says as a fire engine approached a bus waiting at the stop mounted the kerb to let the fire engine through.

Passengers boarded the bus but as it left the stop she claims it hit the shelter, shattering glass over four youngsters still inside.

Rebecca, aged 12, and three other Deanery High School pupils were showered by glass and suffered minor cuts and scratches.

Maxine Armstrong, Rebecca's mum said: "Rebecca told me that the driver looked back as the glass shattered, but didn't stop to check they were okay. That makes me very angry -- they could have been seriously injured."

The parents immediately reported the incident to the police and also contacted the Blue Bus company for an explanation.

Mrs Armstrong said: "On Tuesday we received a letter from Blue Bus and a £20 shopping voucher as a 'good will' gesture. But I won't be accepting it -- it's an insult. I want an apology from the driver, I want him to justify driving away."

A spokesman for Blue Bus said: "I've spoken and written to the parents. It was one of those unfortunate incidents and the driver did what he thought was right at the time. On reflection he realises he should perhaps have checked on the children, but he thought they were out of the way of the glass. The matter is being dealt with internally."

Mrs Armstrong said she and other parents are seeking legal advice.