A Saltaire man was recovering today after being attacked in broad daylight on a bus.

The 21-year-old passenger was kicked and punched by seven teenagers as he travelled towards Bradford city centre from Bingley on the 620 Keighley and District bus to take his driving test at 4pm.

He was left with severe cuts and bruises to his face and a swollen eye.

The man, who did not want to be named, said the single-decker bus was about half full of passengers, including children on their way home from school.

He said: "I was sitting about half-way down the bus when I felt something on the back of my head, like a plastic bottle. I looked round at the group who asked me what the problem was. The next thing I knew they were at my seat. I think they were just looking for trouble.

"I haven't got a choice about travelling on the bus, but I wouldn't want it to happen to anybody else.

"It's happened to a mate before on a bus who got his face smashed in. He was in a bad way and ended up in hospital. It's not a freak incident."

The assault happened in Keighley Road in Manningham on Monday after seven Asian teenagers got on at the Cottingley Bar bus stop. The group got off at the next stop, near the Spotted House pub, after the bus driver intervened.

One of the attackers is described as an Asian male aged between 17 and 20, 5ft 8ins to 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and wearing a baseball cap. The others were Asian males in their late teens.

Toller Lane Police are appealing for witnesses to contact PC Pat MacDonald on (01274) 376259.