Mindless yobs are pelting buses and cars with eggs and stones on an almost nightly basis, a councillor has said.

And in some cases bus routes have had to be cancelled.

Cars and buses are being targeted on Highfield Road in Farnworth.

Ward councillor Sue Haworth said the stone and egg throwing started on Halloween night but has continued.

Houses and flats in the area have also been targeted.

Now Cllr Haworth is asking police, councillors and youth services to work together to stop the incidents and address the wider problem of anti-social behaviour in the area.

Cllr Haworth said: “I’ve had complaints from a woman who waited and waited for a bus, and when none arrived she asked in the local shops only to be told the buses were diverting from the road due to the stones and the eggs.

“She said it was terrible because she was using the bus to get to the hospital which is on the route.”

She said that this is mainly happening from 4pm onwards most days of the week, and the bus targeted is the 501 Farnworth to Bolton route that goes up and down Highfield Road.

Cllr Haworth said: “People in the area want a more definite regular police presence, and said when they see the PCSOs in the shops, seeing what’s going on and who is coming in, that is very reassuring and they want more of it.

“The groups of young people are around age 10 to 15 years and a good number of them are the younger end age 10, 11, and 12.”

She says that “things are so grim” that only one child is allowed in at a time in some shops.

She added: “In groups in the shops they have been throwing things around, swearing at workers and sometimes thieving.

“Outside the young ones are seen with cigarettes, e-cigarettes, energy drinks, and eggs, and some shops are not wanting to sell eggs to children because of the antics.

“It’s sad to have to speak about young people this way but it’s the truth.”

Transport bosses only recently warned that those caught would be prosecuted.

Kate Green, TfGM’s TravelSafe Partnership Manager, said: “Passenger and staff safety is of paramount important to us, and these types of incidents are absolutely unacceptable as they can have a significant impact on law-abiding customers wanting to use public transport safely.

“We will make every effort to work with partners like Vision Bus to track down and prosecute anyone foolish enough throw objects at public transport.

“The consequences of this type of unthinking behaviour can be extremely serious for transport staff and passengers, but also for offenders.

“A moment of madness or showing off could lead to them being banned from the network or potentially prosecuted.”