BUSES have been forced off the road by stone throwing yobs.

The vandals have struck on estates in Tyldesley and Platt Bridge forcing bus operators to withdraw services affecting routes through Leigh, Tyldesley, Westleigh, Astley and Platt Bridge.

The disruption is bad news for bus users but community leaders are urging action to stamp out the vandalism so services can return to normal.

Three services were taken off the road on Monday after buses were attacked by youths throwing stones in parts of Tyldesley and in Platt Bridge.

In Tyldesley there were two separate incidents in Shakerley, to the north of the town, and on the huge private New Hall Farm estate which spreads south east between Tyldesley and Astley.

Bosses at Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive said talks between police, local council chiefs and bus operators would occur before the services could be resumed.

A spokesman said: "It is a matter for ongoing discussions. The service will return as soon as possible but we cannot really put a time on it."

The services cancelled are the 577 route from Leigh across Tyldesley to Shakerley, the 594 through to Westleigh and Leigh from Wigan and the 595 Leigh-Abbey Lane Circular.

They are run by operators Arriva and Jim Stones transport companies.

Chairman of the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority Councillor Roger Jones said police should respond quickly to such attacks to stop them happening again.

Cllr Rogers said: "The operators have said it is because kids are throwing stones at their buses. Police have got to take these incidents seriously.

"The problems need to be nipped in the bud before they start. That is what we have got to be trying to do."

And Cllr Brian Jarvis, who represents the ward through which the 594 and 595 routes run, said: "It's deplorable when a public service has to cease because of vandalism.

"I shall be speaking with the police about this.

"Surely we can't give way to vandals. Surely GMPTE and the police should get together to eradicate this problem."