A RUNAWAY bus caused damage to four cars and shunted one into a house after it was used in a hit-and run-in the early hours of yesterday.

The incident happened at about 1am, in St Ann's Terrace, Portrack, Stockton. It is believed the single-decker bus was taken from a nearby depot by three youths, who were later seen running away from the scene of the crash.

The bus shunted one of the cars off the road and into the front garden of Bill Rochford's house. It demolished his garden wall and smashed into his front door, as the youths drove off in the bus.

Mr Rochford said: "I was sat watching television in my front room when I heard a lot of rumbling. It was like a big bomb was going off.

"I thought the car was going to come straight through my house. It does not bear thinking about what could have happened if the vehicles had been driven straight into my house. It was a huge shock."

No one was hurt. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact them on (01642) 326326