A boy shot and injured a bus driver with a pellet gun in an unprovoked attack.

The Brighton and Hove Buses worker was sitting in his vehicle at Southwick Square when the youth approached him with the weapon.

The gun was fired twice and the driver was hit in the neck and arm by what were later discovered to be pellets from a child's BB gun.

It is not thought the driver was seriously injured.

The attacker, described as aged 11 or 12, had been seen hanging around in the Square with a gang of youths shortly before boarding the bus.

Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Buses, said: "We were very shocked by this attack.

"I think it is disgraceful that this sort of behaviour is happening. It is despicable. I have never known of this kind of incident before."

Police are appealing for witnesses who saw either the attack at about 6.40pm on Saturday or the gang of youths to come forward.

The attacker is described as about 5ft tall and wore jogging gear.

Anyone with any information should call Hove Police on 0845 6070999.