A GANG of teenagers stormed a country bus, stole the emergency hammer, jumped off, then smashed the window of an ornate bus shelter.

The attack happened in Stanhope just after the Crook bus pulled into the market place terminus.

About ten youngsters - four of them girls - jumped on the bus through both the front and the emergency exit doors and ran through the coach.

"They were running riot and swearing," said one of the drivers.

"They appeared to be drunk."

The gang jumped off and swooped on to a second coach - the Upper Dales bus - and one of the yobs snatched the emergency hammer.

The hooligan then smashed the plate glass window of the wrought-iron bus shelter - built recently and costing several thousand pounds.

Youngsters also smashed a metal table and left the wreckage in the market place.