A BUS driver who described rowdy young passengers as behaving like "a herd of cattle" during a school run was yesterday cleared of dangerous driving.

But it emerged last night that 57-year-old Robert Dale has already been dismissed from his job over the manner of his driving to Staindrop Comprehensive School, County Durham, on February 4.

Mr Dale, a driver for 35 years, was alleged to have been texting a message while at the wheel of the double-decker bus, on the run from Evenwood.

Several young passengers were injured, including a 12-year-old girl who broke her arm, when the bus braked before arriving at the school, off Cleatlam Lane, Staindrop.

The pupils complained that Mr Dale was annoyed with them for accusing him of using his mobile phone on the journey.

It was alleged he braked sharply deliberately, causing the youngsters to lurch forward, shortly before reaching the school.

He said all the pupils got up from their seats and crowded "like a herd of cattle" near the front of the bus, before it reached the school.

Mr Dale said he would have had to brake before the bus turned into the school grounds, but he had not been aware that a passenger was injured as a result of the manoeuvre.

He also denied texting while he was driving and said he used a hands-free set, with the phone in his pocket throughout the journey.

Mr Dale, of Ashfield, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, denied dangerous driving.

The jury cleared him by a unanimous verdict on the third day of his trial, at Durham Crown Court.

He was awarded a defendants' costs order by Judge Richard Lowden .

After the case, Mr Dale said only: "The truth came out."

His employers at the Go North-East bus company subsequently confirmed Mr Dale was sacked as a result of the incident.

Commercial director Martin Harris said: "It was subject to an urgent and thorough internal disciplinary investigation.

"We were not satisfied with our former driver's explanation and, given the seriousness of the incident, this resulted in his dismissal.

"Mr Dale did not exercise his right to appeal."

A Durham County Council education authority spokesman said last night the school had not changed procedures over bus arrivals in the mornings, as they were staggered and the pupils were dropped off on school premises.

However, a member of staff is present to monitor the departure of buses after school.