A DRINK driver who left two children, including his own stepson, seriously injured after a horror smash has been jailed for 21 months.

Cyril Wilding, aged 27, who was already banned from driving, took the two young friends on a terrifying ride in a Ford Escort which he drove like a "rally car" before losing control on a bend and ploughing into a bus in Little Hulton.

As passers-by rushed to help Lee Kershaw, aged 10, and 12-year-old Amy Parker, Wilding fled from the scene. Both children had to be cut free from the wreckage, but were left in comas after suffering serious injuries.

Wilding was later tracked down to his house, where a breath test revealed he was twice over the legal drink-drive limit.

Wilding was jailed for 21 months at Manchester's Minshull Street Crown Court after admitting various motoring offences. The children have since recovered from their injuries, but suffer trauma problems.

Today, as Wilding was behind bars, his wife, Jane, warned him to stay away from their home when he walks free from prison. She said: "I hope he rots in hell for what he did.''

Mrs Wilding, aged 29, said: "I have not seen him since the day of the accident and I do not want to see him ever again."

Wilding, of Mossbank Drive, Little Hulton, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, driving with excess alcohol, failing to stop and report an accident, and having no insurance. He was also banned from driving for four years and must take an extended test before he can drive again.

Justin Hayhoe, prosecuting, said the accident happened on July 3 after Wilding had been drinking cider. He told his wife he was going out to change the battery in the Escort and was seen trying to jump start it and push it down the road.

He then put Lee and Amy in the back of the car while a neighbour got into the passenger seat and Wilding took the wheel. The children were not wearing seatbelts.

Wilding was seen driving at speed around the area, then taking a corner sideways on like a "rally car". He veered on to the wrong side of the road in Captains Fold Road, Little Hulton, into the path of an oncoming bus. The car was catapulted into the air in the collision.

Both children were cut free from the wreckage and taken unconscious to the Royal Bolton Hospital, before they were transferred to the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury.

Amy was in a critical condition with serious head injuries and haemorrhaging. Lee also sustained serious head injuries, and needed an operation to remove a clot. He also suffered a broken leg and stomach injuries.

Both children made a full physical recovery but are still suffering psychological difficulties. The 63-year-old bus driver was shocked but uninjured.

Wilding had previous convictions including ones for disqualified driving and failing to stop after an accident.

Louise Kitchen, defending, said Wilding knew his crimes were "unforgivable" and felt remorse.

Judge Brian Carter, QC, told Wilding: "You are absolutely right to be totally ashamed. Rarely have I come across a worse case of dangerous driving when a man has two children in the back, with no seatbelts on, under the influence of drink and drugs, disqualified from driving and, after, leaves the scene."