POLICE want to identify a young man who exposed himself on a bus in front of a nine-year-old girl. The three men were also abusive to the bus driver who felt so threatened that he defended himself with a screwdriver.

The incident happened on the 55a Stagecoach bus travelling from Calne to Chippenham late on Friday evening.

A woman, who does not want to be identified, boarded the bus at The Strand, Calne with her nine-year-old daughter at 10.37pm. They were travelling back to their home in Chippenham.

Three drunken men also entered the bus and sat on the back seat.

The mother said: "They were quite loud initially, so I moved from our normal seat so I could distract my daughter. On a Friday night I expect them to be a bit loud but these lads were out of order.

"When we got to Black Dog Hill one of them started playing with himself. Then he stood up and got his stuff out in front of everyone."

The mother said at this point she refused to tolerate their bad behaviour any longer. "I said to them 'your behaviour is totally out of order and disgusting'," she said.

WPC Rachel Jennings of Calne police said: "Once in Chippenham bus station the three males approached the bus driver and threatened him, using extremely offensive and abusive words and behaviour.

"He felt so threatened he took hold of a large screwdriver in order to protect himself. After some time and further threats the group left the bus."

Using a digital camera, the driver managed to get a photograph of the youth. This image is available at Calne Police Station.

Police are appealing for witnesses to contact WPC Jennings (01249) 812106.