A 12-YEAR-OLD schoolboy was attacked by a man who banged his head against a window as he chatted with a friend.

The man, described as in his 50s, struck as the child was travelling on the Rossendale Transport 464 bus at 8.40am on Wednesday.

Police today appealed for witnesses to the assault, which took place in Market Street, Shawforth, as the bus travelled towards of Rochdale.

Officers said the boy was talking about a teacher as he made his way to school.

Det Sgt Nikki Bithell, from Rossendale CID, said: "The schoolboy was on his way to school and was talking with a friend on the bus when a man in his mid to late 50s came up to him, got hold of him by the collar, pushed his head into the window and hit him.

"He was saying if he was the teacher that the boy had been talking about he would have dragged him off the bus."

The man is described as white, medium build, about 6ft tall, with white hair and wearing glasses, a chequered flat cap, a fluorescent waistcoat and carrying a brown leather briefcase.

The boy, who suffered bumps and bruises, got off the bus at the next stop.

DS Bithell appealed for any witnesses to the incident, including any passengers who were on the bus or anyone who saw the man after he got off the bus, to contact Rossendale CID on 01706 237442 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.