A VAN driver last night spoke of his horror as a teenage gunman shot at him as he drove over a busy viaduct.

Michael Barker said he feels "lucky to be alive" after the bullet shattered his windscreen, showering his face with glass.

The 31-year-old, from Milburn Way, Howden-le-Wear, County Durham, said what frightened him most was having to swerve into the path of an oncoming car as he reacted to the shot.

He said: "I swerved as the bullet hit the window and nearly hit a car coming the other way.

"The car behind me nearly went into the back of me and I really thought that was it and I was going to crash and was going to get pushed over the viaduct.

"It was very distressing, you just don't expect something like that to happen when you are on your way to work. I really was frightened."

The painter and decorator said he assumed the youth fired at his Fiat Diablo van because it provided a large target as it crossed Newton Cap viaduct, in Bishop Auckland.

"I really do hope they catch him. People like that are just evil."

Mr Barker said he felt so angry that he gave chase but the teenager got away.

It was not until he got back to his van that the reality of what happened hit home.

He said: "I took one look at the windscreen and realised that I could have been killed. I was so upset that I broke down and I am not the sort to cry.

"I had glass in my face and if I had not had the visor down I could have lost my sight at the very least."

He has urged witnesses to contact police with any information that could lead to the youth's arrest.

He said: "I think if he gets away with it he will do it again."

The gunman is described as having short ginger hair, thin build, and about 5ft 9in. He was wearing an Army-style camouflage jacket that looked too big for him, an ammunition bandanna around his waist and dark trousers.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Bishop Auckland Police on (01388) 603566 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.