YORK bus bosses have rerouted a city estate bus service after yobs ambushed two of their vehicles with stones and heavy tools.

Managers at First York have offered a reward for information after thugs attacked buses in the Chapelfields area on two consecutive evenings.

A large lump of rock and a heavy metal wrench were thrown through passenger windows of moving buses as they drove through Barkston Road and Bramham Avenue.

There were no injuries to passengers.

Drivers believe the same group of youths could be responsible for the two attacks, but accident investigators trying to identify them have met a wall of silence from local residents.

Peter Edwards, First York commercial manager, said no one was injured in the incidents, but the drivers were "shocked" and the vehicles badly damaged.

He said: "No one was hurt, but the inside of each vehicle was showered with glass and someone could have been badly hurt if they had been sitting there.

"Our drivers are quite shocked about this, and we have a duty to them and their safety just as we have a duty to our customers.

"We are not prepared to put anyone in danger, which is why we have rerouted the service until further notice.

"It will no longer travel through Bramham Avenue and Barkston Avenue, but instead continue straight down Beckfield Lane."

Mr Edwards said an accident investigator for the bus group had spoken to residents who witnessed the incidents, but they refused to help to identify the culprits.

He added: "People in the area know who did this and I would urge them to come forward. They can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously and in confidence, on 0800 555 111, with any information."

First York is offering a reward of £100 for information leading to a conviction regarding either incident.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York Police, said the incidents, at 9.30pm on Monday and 8.30pm on Tuesday, have been reported to them.

He said: "We take attacks like this very seriously and we are actively investigating them."

Updated: 13:31 Wednesday, May 12, 2004