Two teenage fare dodgers broke a bus driver's glasses and said they hoped he suffered a heart attack.

They assaulted the 62-year-old driver after an argument on the 5B bus in Braybon Avenue, Brighton.

Roger French, Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company managing director, vowed to bring the culprits to justice with evidence caught on CCTV cameras.

He said: "It's disgraceful behaviour. The thugs just barged their way on and were very aggressive when they snatched the driver's glasses."

The assault took place just before 4pm yesterday when one of the boys jumped on the Hollingbury to Hangleton bus at Carden Avenue.

The youth, who had cuts on his forehead, ran up the stairs without paying while the driver shouted for him to come down. He said the bus would not move until the boy got off.

After chanting "all aboard" for a few minutes from upstairs, the teenager came down and began swearing at the driver.

He radioed for help when the youth and a friend said they hoped he had a heart attack.

After five minutes, the offenders got off and the bus drove to Braybon Avenue, where students from Varndean College were waiting.

The two boys jumped on the bus again. The one with the cut forehead snatched the driver's glasses and stamped on them outside.

Karen Baker, 29, of Norfolk Terrace, Brighton, who was on the lower deck, said: "The boys were very aggressive."