A BUS has been attacked by youngsters on a Darlington estate only days after community leaders pledged to stop them throwing stones at vehicles.

The Green Bus Company vehicle was attacked in the Coombe Drive, Bisley Court area of the Red Hall estate, the same place children launched a spate of attacks last week.

A bus window was smashed on Thursday, which led to Green Bus chief Richard Cranmer withdrawing services from the estate for safety reasons.

Council staff have started thinning a small wooded area where youngsters hide and throw the stones, and police are continuing investigations.

Inspector Sue Collingwood said they were studying closed-circuit television footage from the buses and hoped it would provide evidence of those involved.

Names of suspects have also been forwarded to police.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said: "We are working hard to make this new bus service a success and are disappointed a small minority are causing these problems.

"We are working with the police, our community warden and youth service, along with the local community to find a long-term solution."