A BUS company that runs a host of services in Worcester is struggling to keep drivers because they are terrified of being attacked.

Bus routes have already been cancelled in some parts of the county and there are fears others will be axed.

County councillors met First Midland Red bosses to air their concerns and learnt the company had a major problem with violent members of the public.

"We had 20 drivers assaulted in the past six months, and in excess of 45 cases of vandalism," said a spokesman for First Midland Red.

He said it would not be cost effective to have a conductor "riding shotgun" on the smaller buses in Worcester.

"It is just a very small minority letting it down for everybody," he added.

"This problem in not unique to our area but across the whole country.

Councillor Colin Beardwood became concerned about the situation two weeks ago when First Midland Red announced it wanted to stop running the 177, 178, and 179 routes around Redditch.

"This service was a lifeline for a lot of people who have no other form of transport," said Coun Beardwood, who wants to see the county council have a limited period contract with First Midland Red to provide a certain standard of service.

"It goes around the villages, and to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch and on to Birmingham.

"This is the thin end of the wedge. If we are not able to correct this situation I can see it spreading across the county."

The First Midland Red spokesman said that the company had asked the executive committee of the county council to withdraw the 177, 178, and 179 services "because there is a desperate shortage of drivers".

The plea was turned down and First Midland Red will operate a full service on the route until Saturday, October 27.