POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an assault on a woman bus driver which left her badly shaken.

Police said the Blackburn and Darwen Transport driver was attacked by a group of six to eight Asian males on Saturday, March 10.

The group was travelling on the Route 53A bus that left Penny Street in Blackburn town centre just after 6pm and got off the bus at Audley Range about 20 minutes later, by which time the attack had taken place.

Police are appealing for two passengers to come forward as they may hold vital clues into the identity of the offenders.

Police sergeant John Rigby, from the Minorities Team at Eastern Division, said: "We are looking for a white female in her 50s and a white male in his 40s. The male actually dragged the offenders off the bus but was left behind as the driver drove off.

"We really need to speak to these people and would ask them to contact me in the strictest of confidence."

Jim Hilton, transport manager at Blackburn and Darwen Transport, said it was an unprovoked attack and he praised the driver, said to be in her late 20s.

He said: "We totally cannot accept this incident and we must give admiration and support to the driver. These incidents are not very common. In the main, the public recognise that the driver has a social duty and they are respected for doing their job."

PS Rigby can be contacted on 01254 353718. Mr Hilton on 01254 51112. Any calls will be treated with confidence.