A late-night bus service could be scrapped after a further spate of vandalism in which vehicles have been smashed up.

Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said he was considering the move because attacks on his fleet in recent months had left the firm with a heavy repair bill.

Drivers were also becoming uneasy about working on the late-night route.

The latest incident happened in the early hours of Saturday when passengers, including dozens of teenagers, were on the top deck of the N98 as the driver turned into Poyning Drive, Hangleton.

A disturbance broke out, during which windows were smashed, at least 20 seats were destroyed and poles which connect seats to the ceiling were ripped out and thrown about.

The driver and passengers felt intimidated until the police arrived.

Officers broke up the disturbance but the £140,000 bus, which was less than a year old, was left with at least £5,000 damage.

Two weeks ago, a student was injured when a vandal threw a snooker ball through the window of a number 25 bus as it travelled along Lewes Road, Brighton, near Wild Park.

The incident came just days after vandals hurled bricks at three buses in Sackville Road, Hove, Carden Avenue, Brighton, and Beaconsfield Villas, Brighton.

Mr French said the cost of vandalism and the threat to his drivers and passengers' safety meant it was no longer worth operating the late-night route.

The service, which runs from Brighton city centre to Hangleton, Mile Oak and Shoreham on weekend evenings has been one of the most frequent targets for vandals.

Mr French said: "In this latest incident there was an outbreak of mindless vandalism by people who set about destroying the bus.

"It was the worst incident for some time. For both our driver and the other passengers it was very scary and put their safety at risk.

"The cost of the damage with incidents like this is now running into thousands and it has made us think again about running the night service.

"If we have to incur costs of thousands of pounds to repair a bus which was less than a year old and cost £140,000, it puts the whole operation at risk.

"If buses are going to be trashed in this way, we have to question why we are running the service.

"It is not viable if this kind of vandalism is going to continue.

"It could put an end to buses running at night. It is not worth the risk."

Mr French called for tough action by the police and courts to make sure those responsible for vandalism and anti-social behaviour were brought to justice.

He said: "I hope the courts deal with them severely and give them harsh sentences to make these people realise how disgraceful their behaviour has been."

Last night, police said a youth had been charged with criminal damage in connection with the incident on Saturday.