POLICE in Hartlepool are appealing for witnesses following an attack on a bus driver by a passenger.

And the attack victim has claimed the number of drink and drug-related attacks on drivers in the town is on the increase.

Stagecoach bus driver John Cramm, 65, was verbally abused and headbutted by a man with a Scottish accent after he stopped at Richardson's Club on the Clavering to Maxwell Road route. Mr Cramm ordered him off the bus.

Mr Cramm said the man had boarded at Clavering with a pushchair and gave the impression he had been drinking, or was on drugs. Because the man made a complaint about Mr Cramm to his bosses at Stagecoach, the driver was briefly suspended from his duties. When Mr Cramm had explained what had happened more clearly he was reinstated.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cleveland Police in (01642) 302126.