BUS drivers were kicked and punched after an unruly passenger was asked to get off a bus at Malton bus station.

The man, who was travelling from Leeds to Scarborough, was told to leave the bus by the driver when it stopped at 1.40pm on Saturday.

The man got off the bus and went to a nearby toilet, but attempted to get back on.

A scuffle developed, in which, a bus driver was punched in the mouth and another kicked.

The police were called and a man was arrested and taken to Scarborough Police Station.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to phone Malton Police Station on 01723 509612.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Coastliner said:"Our driver was not seriously injured, but drivers should not have to put up with this kind of thing."

* About £1,000 damage was caused by vandals to buses parked at Malton bus station on Friday night when windscreen wipers were ripped off.

Updated: 10:40 Monday, October 01, 2001