A BUS firm has warned it may be forced to remove one of its services in south Essex after its vehicles were targeted with a BB gun.

Ensign says two of its buses were shot at in Chadwell St Mary yesterday afternoon, while a third was hit near to the Gateway Academy in Tilbury.

Bosses have posted images of the damage inflicted to the buses, with windows cracked or smashed by the bullets.

Ensign revealed the damage caused in a series of tweets in which it revealed one of the bullets was close to causing serious injuries to one of its drivers.

It said: “This is the reason we cannot serve Chadwell St Mary tonight.

“Appears our buses were shot at possibly by a pellet gun.

“Note how if marginally back a bit it could have seriously injured the driver of this bus.

“These are despicable acts.”

Another tweet later in the evening revealed another window had been smashed after being hit by ball bearings, with were thought to have come from a BB gun.

Ensign added: “Any more of this and the 77A will be subject to curtailment.

“Disruption to services is possible from tomorrow morning due to having three vehicles off the road now - we will update on those disruptions.”

The incidents have been reported to Essex Police and anyone with information is asked to contact 101.

Police have been contacted for comment.