TERRIFIED bus passenger Zena Marshall has condemned the behaviour of youths on her estate who are threatening the bus service in the area.

Mrs Marshall, who lives on the Studley Green estate in Trowbridge, was a passenger on a First Bus service when a gang ambushed the bus, brought it to a halt and pelted it with missiles.

Mrs Marshall, who has asked the Wiltshire Times not to publish her personal details to protect herself against reprisals, was shocked and outraged by the behaviour of the children.

She said: "I was on the 236 bus up to Studley Green last Friday afternoon. We were going along Lambrok Road toward Sandford Park and a group of youths between the ages of about 11-14 were standing there.

"Suddenly the bus came under a hail of missiles including stones and bottles, which the youths were throwing.

"The driver had to stop dead to avoid hitting one of these kids, who had run into the path of the bus.

"When the driver pulled away and drove down the road the gang chased us and carried on throwing things at the bus, screaming and shouting as they were doing it. They were like a pack of animals hunting their prey.

"When I spoke to the driver he said it had happened before. The few passengers on the bus with me were terrified by what happened. My concern is that they could seriously injure one of us by throwing stuff at the window.

"I really can't get my head around this sort of behaviour. If it carries on we will end up losing our bus service in this area and then elderly people, mums and even the kids themselves will suffer because they won't be able to get about. I want parents and other Studley Green residents to join me to stamp this sort of thing out.

"It is about time that something was done about these yobbish youths. It is obvious why there is no night-time bus service up here if this sort of thing can happen in the afternoon when they can be easily seen.

"If one of these kids gets knocked down by the bus you can be sure the parents will be shouting it was not his fault."

Pc Dave Brown, of Trowbridge police, said: "The police are aware of a series of incidents in the Lambrok Road area of Studley Green. These have included the removal of temporary roadwork signs and interference with local buses.

"The situation is being looked at as a priority by the Studley Green neighbourhood policing team, and through working with the local community several youths have been identified and will be dealt with.

"Bus drivers have not been attacked but it appears that the youths involved are recklessly putting themselves in danger by placing themselves in the path of the oncoming buses."

Rachel Hicks, a spokesman for First Bus, said: "It's unfortunate that a minority of people make passengers' lives a misery and disrupt bus routes in this way."