GANGS of marauding youths have made bus drivers' lives such a misery that night services in one part of York have been axed.

The latest episode in a stream of violence and vandalism in the Chapelfields area of Acomb caused bus operator First York to meet with police, to discuss the safety of passengers and staff.

The meeting came after an incident in which a York bus driver had to sit and watch his vehicle being kicked by a group of youths who had surrounded his bus after 10pm last Friday.

First York's operations manager Paul Bell recited the list of incidents to the Evening Press which have led to services being cut.

Mr Bell said: "From now on, we won't be running through Chapelfields after 8pm. Instead we will drop people off at Ridgeway, on the edge of the area.

"The problem is teenagers congregating around the bus stops on the estate. Every time, a bus passes a window is put through, or worse.

"There have been blocks of concrete and golf clubs thrown through windows, and one youth even bounced his bike up on to the bus and rode it down the aisle, damaging a couple of seats.

"We have also had assaults on drivers, and we have decided that the risk to them is just too great.

"The next step is for us to have discussions with the police about what can be done. The solution might be more policing or a system to get more witnesses to come forward."