A CHILD as young as ten put a bus driver in hospital by hurling a gas bottle at his windscreen as he drove on a busy city centre route.

York police say the First driver needed treatment for eye injuries when glass showered his cab in the attack.

The bus was carrying passengers in Danebury Drive, Acomb, when the driver rounded a corner and his young attacker struck, throwing a camping gas bottle at his windscreen.

Despite his injuries, the driver managed to pull the bus over safely without harming any of his frightened passengers.

He radioed for police help after the attack, which happened at about 5pm yesterday.

The bus company has temporarily suspended services along the Acomb road from 6pm each evening while investigations continue.

Sergeant Colin Ventress, of York Police, said the camping gas bottle had been thrown at the centre of the windscreen as the bus turned a corner.

He said: "This could have resulted in a very serious accident. The driver was lucky to escape more serious injury."

He said a witness had seen a youth, perhaps aged as young as ten or 11, acting suspiciously in the road just before the attack.

Jonathan May, First's managing director, paid tribute to the "courage and bravery" of the driver, who was recovering from the ordeal at home.

He said: "It's unbelievable. It's like somebody driving a bulldozer through your office while you're at your desk."

The attack is not the first of its kind to occur in Danebury Drive. In February last year a brick was thrown through the side window of a bus.

Detectives were today interviewing the driver and a number of witnesses to the incident. They have asked anyone with information to come forward.

Mr May said the Acomb route served 32,000 people every week and he is determined not to let the actions of a minority affect the community.

But he said: "From our company's point of view our primary concern is our driver's safety and we are very upset and distressed about this incident.

"The last thing we want is to make the community suffer for the actions of one individual, but I can't put drivers in danger." Steve Clark, of the Transport and General Workers Union, said managers had helped bring in security measures such as radios, CCTV and toughened glass.

But he said it was not practical, in terms of access and visibility, to protect drivers from every possible event.

Acomb ward councillor, Tracey Simpson-Laing, said the attack was "very regrettable". She asked residents to contact the police if they knew who was responsible.

Anyone with information can phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Calls are free, you do not have to give your name and you may receive an award.

Updated: 14:11 Tuesday, December 02, 2003