A SOUTHAMPTON school bus has been run off the road after yobs repeatedly threw bricks at it.

During just six weeks pupils and teachers from Redbridge Community School were attacked five times as they travelled to Thornhill's Eastpoint Centre.

Now the Bitterne based coach company has refused to drive to Thornhill any more after spending £1,600 repairing the broken windows.

No one was hurt during the incidents as the glass was reinforced but the attacks have left some pupils and staff feeling shocked.

Southampton father Gary Cole, 48, of Sedbergh Road, said: "As a parent I'm seething that for the sake of a few idiots the children will be missing out on a part of their education. I'm very angry because I have brought my children up to respect other people and have tried to keep them away from the mob element.

"My son Sam hasn't taken this very well at all. Why should he be punished for something someone else has done?"

The pupils have been receiving their classes at the Eastpoint Centre while their Skills Centre next to their school is refurbished.

Up to 40 year 10 and 11 pupils studying carpentry, hair and beauty, bricklaying and motoring had their classes cancelled after the latest attack in February 7.

A spokesman for bus company Barfoot and Sons, said: "We have been providing the service for six weeks now and have lost five windows through children throwing stones at the coach so we called it a day. The headmaster said he didn't want his pupils heading into a war zone. We reported it to the police but they said there's notmuch they can do about it."

The headmaster of Redbridge Community School, Richard Schofield, said: "Over the last few weeks we have encountered a number of problems. Our students have been subjected to a barrage of abuse with stones and objects being thrown at the bus.

"We are fully supportive of the company's reaction to the situation and share their concerns about the health and safety of our students. We are trying to do our best to manage the situation so the students can continue their learning."

A spokesman from Hampshire police said they were aware of the problem and local beat officers were monitoring the situation.