NEW £1million vandalism-proof school buses are an "amazing success" in Newport, stopping vandalism on board and saving children from stone-throwing yobs, transport bosses say.

Rowdy schoolchildren vandalised and misbehaved on the old double-decker buses an average of twice a week.

In the six months since the yellow S-Kool buses came into use, there have only been two minor incidents.

Six weeks ago a group of children from a Newport high school were saved from harm after a brick hit their school bus. The double-glazed windows protected them, with only the outer window smashing.

Trevor Roberts, Newport Transport's managing director, said: "This could have been a nasty incident. The bus was fully loaded and children could have been hit by the brick or broken glass."

Mr Roberts said the money had been well spent. He said: "The pupils are under control. On a scale of one to 10 the problem used to be a 10 but is down to one."

The seven buses have CCTV, safety belts and dedicated seats for each pupil. Groups like BUSK have campaigned for dedicated seats for the past ten years as on some buses smaller pupils are placed three to a two seat.

More than 800 pupils use the buses each day and they take great pride in them. Each day a different child is allowed to bring their CDs and provide the music for the journey.

Mr Roberts said: "The difference is unbelievable. I was always being called out to deal with problems. That doesn't happen now. It has been an amazing success."

Rob King, assistant head teacher at St Joseph's RC High School in Newport, agreed: "We have seen a significant reduction in the number of incidents on the buses.

"The students are arriving at school calmer and it has been an all-round success."

Pupil Alice Summers, 12, said: "We have the same driver every day and he knows all our names. It is much nicer, there is never any trouble and we enjoy the rides home and to school."

A year ago broken windows caused by yobs throwing bricks and stones cost Newport Transport £150,000 a year. This is now down to about £50,000 and the incidents are down from two or three times a night to once or twice a week.

Mr Roberts said the reduction was due to an increased police presence on the streets and a move by the communities themselves to improve.