A TAXI driver lost part of his sight after being showered with glass when a rock was thrown through the window of his vehicle.

Thugs hurled the rock from a footbridge as Ivan Denton's Peugeot 406 travelled along the A6072 South Church bypass, near Bishop Auckland.

The rock smashed through the driver's side window, flew past his face and landed on the back seat.

The incident, which happened in the early hours of Sunday, has affected the grandfather-of-three's confidence so much that he has been unable to carry passengers since.

Shortly after the attack, a police patrol car passed Mr Denton's cab and stopped to help him.

He was taken to Bishop Auckland Hospital, where a shard of glass was removed from his right eye.

Mr Denton, 55, of Paulinus Road, Newton Aycliffe, said: "I got the shock of my life. I did not even see anyone standing on the footbridge.

"I was lucky the rock didn't hit me, but the broken glass went into the second layer of my eye tissue and I have permanently lost two per cent of my vision.

"At first I was really angry with the vandals that did this, for threatening my livelihood and knocking my confidence, but now I cannot even believe what they did.

"I hope they feel guilty about what could have happened and stop at once."

Police say the incident was one of a series of reports they have received about people throwing rocks from the footbridge, and railway line, near South Church cemetery.

Sergeant Jim Cunningham, of Bishop Auckland police, has urged the culprits to think about their actions before someone is killed.

He said: "Although this should not have happened at all, it is by the grace of God that Mr Denton was not more seriously hurt.

"I appeal to these people to have a long think about what they are doing. I cannot understand what they enjoy about targeting vehicles with missiles.

"It is a ridiculous game that will lead to someone being killed or severely injured."

Anyone with information is asked to call Bishop Auckland police on (01388) 603566