A BUS driver was left “shaken and nervous” after a youth snatched her purse and takings as she commenced a late-night service.

Michelle Newton, 35, was preparing to drive Tuesday’s 10.35pm Transdev No 1 service from Darwen to Blackburn when the incident occurred.

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Police said mother-of-two Mrs Newton had completed the outward service into Darwen and had a few minutes to spare on Market Street before travelling back.

Mrs Newton said: “I was waiting on the bus for the departure time, which was about five minutes away. I was sitting in the cab when two lads around 14 or 15 years old started messing around outside the bus.

“One of them kept stepping on and off and they were asking the time and how long it was until I was leaving. They were not abusive or particularly threatening at this point, just a bit irritating.”

Mrs Newton, who lives in Oswaldtwistle and has worked as a bus driver for around six years, said the the thief struck as she was about to depart.

She said: “I was turning the ignition key to start up the bus. One of them jumped on and leaned right over into the cab and took my purse and the takings.

“It took me completely by surprise and by the time I got out of the cab they were running towards one of the side streets off Market Street.

“It shook me up and has left me feeling nervous. You sometimes have to deal with difficult situations and passengers but nothing like this had happened to me before.”

Despite the ordeal, Mrs Newton, who spent five years driving the main bus routes through Burnley, returned to work yesterday.

The stolen purse is pink. Police said the teenage suspects are described as wearing dark clothing and hoodies. They escaped with just over £50 in cash.

A spokesman for Lancashire Constabulary said: “Investigations are continuing into the theft. I urge anyone who witnessed the incident or who knows who is responsible to contact police on 101 and quote log 1219 of January 20.”