A bus driver was today praised by an 80-year-old woman he rescued from a gang of youths.

Rosie Peel, pictured, was approached by one of the youths as she walked her dog Teddy along Undercliffe Lane, in Under-cliffe, Bradford.

The First Bradford bus driver spotted the frail pensioner "shaking uncontrollably" after being taunted by the teenagers. One had threatened her.

The driver stopped his bus and offered to shadow the frightened grandmother-of-two home in his vehicle to ensure her safety.

But the ordeal has left Mrs Peel too terrified to leave her home alone.

Mrs Peel, who moved to Undercliffe after her husband died, said: "The lad who got to me first was on a bike and asked me, 'Does your dog bite?' I said, 'Yes,' and he replied, 'Well, I won't bother then, because I was going to do you over.

"I was petrified - he seemed so threatening. Then the rest of the gang caught up and I just began shaking uncontrollably.

"I must thank the bus driver for stopping. As soon as I got home I called the police but they couldn't find the gang.

"I was very, very happy living here but this has just come out of the blue and now I'm too terrified to take one step outside my front door on my own."

First Bradford spokesman Brandon Jones praised the driver's actions and said the company would look to commend him in some way.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said officers were on the scene within ten minutes of the incident around 7pm on Tuesday but were unable to trace the gang.

Undercliffe ward councillor Eileen McNally said: "I think it's awful that old people don't feel free to walk their dogs and go about their daily business.

"The police reorganisation is causing a lot of problems. But I think the community policing in Bradford has got to sort itself out quickly."

Pat White, chairman of the Keighley and District Victim Support, said: "It's wonderful that the bus driver intervened but it's still an appalling incident."