A bus driver who was almost being blinded by youths who shone a laser pen in his eyes has won his job back.

Transport and General Workers' Union officials said Bob Lock, 49, was told by bus company Stagecoach that he had brought the firm into disrepute after going public with the incident.

We reported in September how two youths fired a laser pen in Mr Lock's eyes in front of his double-decker in Battle Road, St Leonards.

It left him almost blinded in one eye and with poor eyesight in the other.

Because of the attack he will have to wear specially tinted glasses, possibly for life.

Mr Lock, who had been on a six-month trial, returned to work but was hauled before a disciplinary panel and sacked.

Now he has won an appeal against the decision and yesterday returned to working the Hastings and St Leonards routes.

TGWU regional industrial organiser Mike Johnson said: "He was happy with the outcome and is happy to be back at work, which is all he ever wanted."