A FED-up bus passenger says she is disgusted by the behaviour of schoolgoers who board the Warrington-Leigh bus at Culcheth.

Three times a week Barbara Johnson travels on the 3.10pm number 19 bus to her home in Leigh and claims Culcheth High School pupils who use the same bus are abusive, and make other passengers feel uncomfortable.

She said, after contacting the school and bus company about the situation: "There are about five ring leaders and it's amazing how much things calm down when they get off. Most passengers are elderly and intimidated by this despicable behaviour. They are too afraid to say anything -- I am not."

Attempts to confront the youngsters she says resulted abuse and torment and she accepts the problem cannot easily be solved.

She said: "Both the bus company and the school have been very co-operative, but their hands are tied. The head-teacher has been seeing the pupils onto the bus, but as soon as we are out of sight they start playing up. The bus drivers try their best to control the situation, but they are only doing their job and cannot throw them off.

"I feel like not getting on the bus, but then I think why should I change my routine for a bunch of hooligans? The school has high standards, but these idiots are giving it a bad name."

Culcheth High School head Geoff Caton said he was aware of the situation.

"We liaise closely with the bus company and if incidents of misbehaviour are reported the school has, does and will take strong disciplinary action against the pupils involved. I am keen for anyone with concerns to contact me personally."

Warrington Borough Transport operations manager Charlie Shannon said: "I'm afraid boisterous behaviour is the norm -- not just from Culcheth. Unless they cause danger or do something serious there are little sanctions we can take. The drivers have not made an issue of it.

"I'm extremely happy with the school's approach in accepting responsibility for the pupils outside school hours --many schools are not prepared to."