A BUS service through a Tyldesley housing estate has been withdrawn after a brick was thrown at a windscreen.

Driver Michael Timpson had a narrow escape when half a brick was thrown at his bus as he was driving through Shakerley estate on Saturday evening. It is the latest in a series of attacks and the decision to withdraw the service has been made in the interests of passenger safety.

Starting yesterday (Tuesday) the 577 Monday to Saturday evening service, operated by Glazebury-based Jim Stones Coaches will run between Leigh and Tyldesley only.

The Shakerley estate will be missed off the route until further notice.

Robert Dyson, manager at Jim Stone Coaches said: "I believe half a brick was thrown at the bus while it was moving on Saturday night. It cracked the windscreen.

"The driver managed to get the bus to a garage and thankfully no one was injured."

He said there had been problems along the route for eight years and warned the evening service would be completely withdrawn - with no services between Tyldesley and Leigh - if the attacks continued.

Incidents have involved a fir work being thrown into the buses and drivers being abused and spat at.

Mr Dyson added: "On the Shakerley estate we have had numerous problems. There has been spitting at the drivers, a lot of stone throwing and someone even opened the emergency doors on the bus and threw a firework in."

The Passenger Transport Authority are in talks with the bus operator, police and local authorities to try to resolve the matter.

Chief Inspector Ken Dixon of Leigh Police said the incident on Saturday could have caused a serious accident.

"It was a very stupid thing to have done and I would urge anyone who knows anything about it to contact the police."

Details of local bus, train and tram services are available from the public transport information line on 0161 228 7811. Timetable information can be accessed on www.gmpte.com and requests for printed timetables can be made on 0161 242 6040.