LAST Thursday evening I was waiting on Winchester Way, Bolton, for a 509 bus at around 3.45pm. With me were two other elderly pensioners and two boys from Withins School.

After a little while, a large crowd of Withins School pupils came down Withins Lane to the bus stop. As we waited, the behaviour of this crowd got gradually worse, with swearing, spitting and pushing each other into the road.

The three of us felt very threatened and one of the ladies was so frightened that she got a number 561 bus to town, taking her well out of her way rather than waiting for the 509.

When this bus came, all the children swarmed on, pushing us aside. The bus driver had to leave his seat to make sure they all had a ticket and, as the bus moved off, one child repeatedly rang his bell while other children upstairs opened the emergency door, triggering an alarm in his bus.

The majority of children left the bus at the Health Centre on Thicketford Road, banging on his bus and covering his side of the bus with spittle.

I have lived in Tonge Moor all my life and was horrified by the behaviour of these children. So much so that I am sending this same letter to Mr Don Eastwood, Chairman of the Education Committee, and the Headmistress of Withins School.

(name and address supplied)