THE parents of tragic schoolboy Jamie Wells yesterday urged parents and teachers to warn their children about the dangers of misbehaving on buses.

Colin and Trish Bingham spoke out at the launch of an initiative which aims to tackle unruly behaviour on public transport.

Their 12-year-old son died after falling beneath the wheels of bus packed with schoolchildren after he was prevented from getting off at his stop in Middlesbrough last March.

"People should explain to their children what can happen if they fool around on a bus," said Mrs Bingham, of Linthorpe, Middlesbrough.

Problems on buses include large numbers of children pushing to get on first, standing at the front distracting the driver, and throwing objects, such as coins, at each other and from the bus.

Pupils are known to smoke on the buses and be abusive towards other passengers and each other.

Vandalism is common and costs bus companies such as Arriva and Stagecoach £1m a year in cleaning and repairs

Young yobs are also known to interfere with emergency exits to open the doors while the vehicle is still moving.

Earlier this year, bus driver Deborah White, 41, was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving after a trial at Teesside Crown Court.

But Stagecoach driver Keith Wagner said yesterday he and his colleagues still faced the same perils and that they hated driving large groups of unruly teenagers.

"You have to drive a 40ft-long vehicle through busy streets with everything that is going on behind you," said Mr Wagner.

"I can't stress enough the pressure you are under while driving and all that is going on behind you."

Stagecoach and Arriva yesterday unveiled buses which have closed circuit television to protect drivers and passengers at the launch of the initiative at Samsung Conference Centre, at Wolviston, Teesside.