A FEMALE bus driver who was confronted by a passenger brandishing a 2ft sword fought him off with a bottle of water.

Armed police tackled the man on a Darlington estate after he threatened the female driver with the weapon.

The driver, who has asked to remain anonymous, had dropped him off only minutes before the incident, which took place just before 3pm on Wednesday.

When he got on the bus, she threw a bottle at him, forcing him off.

The 43-year-old driver was nearing the end of a ten-hour shift. She was driving the number 23 Arriva service from Whinfield to Skerne Park.

The attacker got on the bus at 2.32pm in the town centre, and got off in Eden Crescent, Skerne Park, at 2.50pm.

There were four other passengers -two adults and two children.

Another woman and her daughter were waiting at the bus stop in front of shops in Coleridge Gardens.

They got on the bus before the man reappeared.

He climbed onto the bus with the sword, which the driver said was 18in to 2ft long.

She grabbed her bottle of water to fend him off. He threw the water back at her, but she closed the door, preventing him from getting back on.

She phoned police, who sent armed officers and dogs.

The driver said: "I feel sick. My legs are still shaking. I am not in the best form.

"When I shut the doors and he walked off, the lady said she was shocked and felt sick.

"I asked her how she was and she said 'Never mind me, how are you?'"

She has driven buses for three years, during which time she has been punched by a ten-year-old boy and spat at by passengers.

She said: "If we are late, you are always whinged at. You have to be polite and smile.

"It has started to make people think. We all talk about it at work, though it is often more light-hearted. I sometimes think what am I doing?"

An Arriva spokesman said the company responded as quickly as possible to any attacks on drivers.

He said: "She has had the day off today. On Friday and Saturday, she will be on light duties.

"Next week, she will be on with another driver to build up her confidence."

A 48-year-old man has been arrested and charged with causing fear or provocation of violence and possessing an offensive weapon.

He was bailed to appear before magistrates on September 13.