A BUS driver suffered cuts and bruises after youths fired an air pellet at the window of the vehicle.

Police in Hartlepool are trying to trace the youths who attacked the Stagecoach bus with an air gun pellet as it travelled down Bamburgh Road in the town at 4.35pm on Tuesday.

The driver of the bus suffered cuts and bruises to his face as a result of the air pellet hitting the bus window and police are treating the incident as an assault as well as criminal damage.

Peter Clarke, divisional traffic manager for Stagecoach in Hartlepool, said: "We are facing an ongoing problem from youths throwing objects at buses.

"This poses a real danger for passengers and drivers and could also cause the vehicle to lose control.

"I ask these youngsters to use common sense and behave in a more responsible manner and urge them to think about the consequences of their actions."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Hartlepool police on (01642) 302126.

Police are also investigating an incident with a pellet gun, which took place inside a classroom at Conyers School in Yarm earlier this week.

A police spokeswoman said: "We can confirm an incident which occurred inside a classroom at Conyers School has been brought to the police's attention.

"We are investigating the matter to find out exactly what happened."