BUS drivers will run the gauntlet through the Little Hulton no-go zone again on Friday night, despite the threat of further attacks from brick-wielding vandals.

Bosses at travel firm First Manchester will re-start five night-time services that were cut because they feared staff and passengers would be hurt.

But they said they would not hesitate to take the 12, 31, 36, 37 and 68 buses off the road again if the vandals start their attacks again.

A spokesman said: "The situation is due to be assessed today. These services will be removed again if there are any more incidents."

The company revealed that police have been patrolling the streets with hand-held video recorders in a bid to catch the culprits in action.

He said a meeting between police, the company and local councillors on Monday had been useful. The attacks early this week and throughout last week focused on Kenyon Way and Madams Wood Road -- turning entire routes into no-go zones.

Passengers have been suffering since the vandal-hit services were stopped from 6pm until 6am.

Pensioner Florence Greene, aged 76, said: "I don't feel safe walking the streets at night, so I'd rather get the bus.

"Even they don't seem safe at the moment, but we need them.

"I hope they don't get cancelled again. The only answer really is to stop the vandals."

Many people in Little Hulton are reliant on buses at night and have had no option but to walk, as the nearest other stops are in Walkden.

Supt Dave Lea, head of Swinton Police, said the situation would be met with "robust policing".