THREE teenagers hurled stones at a bus causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

The incident took place before shocked onlookers in Christchurch High Street just before 5pm on Thursday May 7.

The Yellow Buses 1b service was cancelled after top deck windows were cracked.

Now police have appealed for help from the public to trace the offenders.

And they are looking into claims that a catapult or other weapon was used in the incident.

Town centre councillor Peter Hall said: "This is a shock, I am very disturbed to hear this.

"We haven't had any problems like this in the town centre, and we don't want them, this is not the reputation we want in a tourist area.

"Thank goodness no one was hurt. I hope when they catch the culprits they make an example of them as this was a serious offence which could have resulted in a serious injury."

Cllr Hall said the incident emphasised the importance of having a regular police presence in the town centre.

Yellow Buses chiefs have stressed they will not tolerate vandalism and will do all they can to help the police trace the offenders.

CCTV footage is now being examined by officers in a bid to track down those responsible.

Jenni Wilkinson, Head of Marketing, Yellow Buses, said: "We contacted Dorset Police after a double-decker operating on our 1b service had one of its windows broken while travelling through Christchurch at 4.50pm on Thursday May 7. We believe the damage may have been caused by a catapult or some other kind of missile. The vehicle was taken out of service and the onboard CCTV retrieved.

"Yellow Buses will not tolerate any behaviour or actions which potentially put our staff or customers at risk. We are fully co-operating with the police investigation."

The bus has now been repaired and is back in service.

Anyone with information is asked to call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 7:332 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.