TEENAGERS from Leigh are being accused of putting lives at risk by causing mayhem on a late-night bus service.

Drivers on the 594 Arriva service claim they are being threatened by gangs of youths travelling home after a disco for under-18s in Wigan town centre.

The problems on the bus, which departs shortly after 10pm on Wednesday nights, have got so serious that staff for the company are phoning in sick or making other excuses to avoid having to deal with the hordes.

Drivers have reported the emergency doors being constantly opened and teenagers throwing coins at the windscreens of passing motorists and shouting abuse at them as it travels through Hindley to Leigh.

A man who has found himself behind the wheel on one of the journeys and who did not wish to be named, said: "Something is going to have to be done or we will be dealing with a tragedy. Drivers on this service are a nervous wreck by the time they reach Leigh.

"It's unfair on the public as well. They have to put up with the teenagers and many now know how bad it is and avoid using the service at that time of night."

Arriva agreed there had been a problem on the 594 service on Wednesday evenings and said they were encouraging drivers to report incidents.

The spokesman added that they would be prepared to bring in the police and prosecute offenders to keep buses safe for their staff and passengers.