A BUS company is boycotting a Newport estate in the evenings after repeated attacks by gangs of stone-throwing youths.

Stagecoach has announ-ced it will not be taking its buses around the Underwood estate after 5.15pm with immediate effect after weeks of sustained attacks by youths.

The trouble culminated last Wednesday when youths boarded a bus and terrorised the driver and passengers before escaping through the emergency exit.

Following the incident, drivers told bosses that they feared for their safety on the route.

Stagecoach's operations manager, Mark Tunstall, said: "There is a temporary withdrawal of services due to a large number of missiles being thrown at the buses.

"Unfortunately at this time of year with Hallowe'en just gone and Bonfire Night coming up, this is the type of thing that is happening.

"And this is a far greater issue than just the safety of our drivers, because what happens to them affects the passengers.

"But I am hopeful that the service will be restored quickly."

But local councillor Steve Down has criticised Stagecoach's decision.

Councillor Down said: "I understand that Stagecoach have cancelled their services, anticipating trouble on Hallowe'en and Bonfire Night. I don't think that is good enough. There are people here who work as nurses and in other jobs that have 24 hour shifts. They will be stranded because of this."

Scores of passengers now face the prospect of being hit either in Newport town centre or on the Underwood estate following the cancellation of the service.

The Stagecoach decision follows a threat by Newport Transport to withdraw its services to Bettws, following similar attacks on their buses.

School liaison officers from Newport police have been giving talks to the town's youngsters about the dangers of throwing stones at buses.

And local police officers have said they may resort to travelling on the buses around the estate.

Police are also investigating attacks on buses and taxis in the Maindee and Duffryn areas. Some taxi drivers in Maindee are refusing to take fares down some streets, because they risk being stoned or having fireworks thrown at their cars.

Mr Tunstall said: "Unfortunately, it seems that this is not an isolated problem in Newport at the moment."