NIGHT bus services have been withdrawn on a troubled housing estate after a gang of yobs stormed a bus and attacked passengers.

The terrifying attack is the latest in a series to hit the Skerne Park estate, in Darlington, where residents are said to be living in fear of the tearaways - some as young as six.

On Friday night, they pelted an Arriva bus with stones, then got on board and assaulted the driver and two passengers.

"They're causing as much mayhem and distress for residents as they possibly can," said one concerned woman.

"It has been going on for about three or four months now and it has escalated beyond anyone's control.

"Many of the residents are very scared and won't leave their houses after dark. There are about 150 of them and they're not just from Skerne Park - they're coming over from Redhall, Branksome and Firthmoor."

Bus company Arriva said it would be working closely with police and was hoping to reinstate the service as soon as possible.

A spokeswoman said yesterday: "It is with regret that we have had to withdraw that service after 6pm, but the safety of our customers and employees must come first."

The service was provided from Monday to Saturday.

A public meeting aimed at tackling the issue of anti-social behaviour has been organised by Neighbourhood Watch organisers. Police and housing association officials have been invited to attend.

The meeting takes place in the primary school, on Ribble Drive, on October 26, at 1pm.

But last night, Darlington Police said the scale of the problem was not as bad as was being claimed.

Beat officer PC Stacey Vials said: "We are aware that there are some problems with youths on Skerne Park but there is already an action plan in place to deal with that.

"It is not a huge problem, but we would like to appeal to parents to keep an eye on their children and tell them that large gangs could be intimidating for some people."