POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a five-year-old autistic boy was assaulted on board a Greenock bus.

The incident happened on the 545 McGill's service as it was travelling along Grieve Road at lunchtime yesterday.

It's understood that an elderly man 'took umbrage' to the fact that the youngster had become upset on the bus, and he is accused of hitting him with his walking stick.

Sergeant Laura Stewart of Greenock police said: "We have received a report of an assault which occurred on the 545 McGill's bus in the Grieve Road area approx 1220hrs yesterday.

"We are making enquiries and are looking to trace a man aged approximately in his 70s, of medium build, with grey hair who was wearing thick framed glasses and carrying a triangle bottomed walking aid.

"We would appeal to anyone who was on the bus or who has any information regarding this incident to contact police on 101."