TRANSPORT operators are working with police to catch youths who attacked a bus.

Police said supermarket worker Brian Winward was lucky to escape with just a black eye and a grazed cheek after being struck in the face by a stone thrown through the vehicle's window.

PC Andy Hudson, of Cleveland Police, said: "This was an irresponsible and dangerous act that could have been far worse than it was.''

A spokesman for Stagecoach, owners of the bus which was attacked as it travelled through Hemlington, near Middlesbrough, said: "The safety of our staff and passengers is of paramount importance to us. Naturally, we are going to co-operate with the police as far as we can in their efforts to bring the culprits to justice.

"It is of concern to us that this incident happened.''

Mr Winward said a youth on the bus appeared to be in league with the teenage stone thrower and his pal, as he got off the bus and all three made off together.

The bus was attacked as it approached a roundabout in Viewley Hill Avenue and the stone thrower was seen both by the driver and 32-year-old Mr Winward, who was sitting at the back of the bus.

He said of the youth: "He picked something up, but he did not throw it straight away. The driver thought the same as me, that he must have dropped something.

"But then the stone came straight through the window. It hit me in the face and there was glass all over me. The driver got the ambulance for me, but the hospital did not keep me in.

"They kept a watch on me for a couple of hours because I had been hit in the face. Except for a bit of a black eye and a graze on my cheek I was just a bit dizzy. It was just complete stupidity,'' said Mr Winward.

The incident follows a spate of attacks on buses in recent months. A ball bearing smashed two windows on a bus, last year.

Stone-throwing youngsters slowed down a Stagecoach bus in Hartlepool just over a year ago and smashed seven windows.

Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact Cleveland Police on (01642) 303126.