BUS services may be withdrawn from an estate because drunken stone-throwing youths have targeted vehicles.

Stagecoach is threatening to stop its service through the Red Hall Estate, in Darlington, after ten bus windows were broken by stones in the past three weeks.

Arriva is also reviewing its bus services to Branksome and Cockerton after egg-throwing incidents.

Richard Cramner, manager of Stagecoach's Darlington depot, said youths were putting passengers and bus drivers at risk, which left him no option but to withdraw services to Red Hall.

He said: "Our bus drivers are frightened. This small group of youngsters are targeting the buses at the same time every night, after about 10.30pm.

"It costs us up to £250 a time if we get windows broken, not just with the glass, but also with the inconvenience and clean-up operation.

"But the money is not the issue here. The safety of our bus drivers and passengers is paramount, and we can't continue to put them at risk.

"I can't send a bus driver out when he is very likely to be injured. In fact, it is a miracle no-one has been hurt yet."

He said if there were any more incidents in the next week, Stagecoach would stop its Red Hall service.

Arriva is also seriously reviewing its service to Cockerton and Branksome.

Arriva North East managing director Steve Noble said he would not tolerate acts of "mindless vandalism" which would put customers at risk.

He said: "Over the jubilee weekend there were some incidents of eggs being thrown at buses and police cars.

"Later that weekend, an Arriva bus had its rear window smashed by a missile thrown by an unidentified youth.

"Subsequently, Arriva personnel attended a residents' meeting, which was also attended by representatives from the police and the local authority.

"Whilst there are no plans to withdraw the service at present, residents were told that further incidents of vandalism could cause Arriva North East to review the service it operates in that area."

Caroline Hughie, of the Cockerton Action Group, said the withdrawal of bus services would leave pensioners stranded.

But she said: "I am fully behind the bus companies on this, and I don't blame them for wanting to pull out.

"We just want to raise awareness for parents to keep a closer eye on their children.

"The police are aware of what is happening and we would urge anyone seeing children vandalising buses to report them, otherwise we are in danger of losing a vital service."