A bus driver was left with a swollen and bruised face after being hit in the face with a snowball.

Police are now warning youngsters not to throw snowballs at people after the attack at the bus stop outside William Hill Bookmakers in Stanhope Road, Ashford at around 3.10 pm yesterday.

As the driver was letting on passengers at the bus stop a snowball hit him on the face.

The driver was treated at the scene for minor injuries after being hit in the face as he let on passengers.

Sgt Mark Hedges from Ashford Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "Snowball throwing stops being harmless fun and starts being anti-social behaviour when it leads to injury or discomfort to people, or damage to property, and will not be tolerated.

"We’ve received numerous calls about youngsters causing a nuisance with the snow by throwing it at people’s property and in some cases people and pets which can leave residents feeling intimidated or frightened.

"Enjoy the snow but do so safely and avoid causing a nuisance to other people."

It comes after a spate of incidents in recent days.

In the most shocking case, snowballs were thrown at moving vehicles on the M20, between junctions 9 and 10, at about 1pm on Sunday.

Officers warned a group of youths throwing snowballs at a man they did not know in King Street, Maidstone, on Friday evening.

And, in Margate, two boys were made to clean snow and eggs from the window of a shop they had pelted them at on Saturday afternoon.

In Medway, a 55-year-old man was attacked by up to eight teenagers who he told to stop throwing snowballs at his house.

Police and the victim's family have appealed for witnesses to the beating in Knights Road, Hoo, at 8.45pm yesterday.

The man confronted an eight-strong group of people, believed to be aged 17 to 18, and grabbed one by the arm.

A police spokesman said: "He was then reportedly punched in the face and kicked repeatedly in the head when on the floor.

"He was also struck by an object on the back of the head and was left with injuries to his eye and cheek."

The man did not need to be taken to hospital, police said.

Anyone with information should call DC David Evans on 101, quoting reference XY/2334/13.

To stay anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Anyone with information about the assault on the bus driver is asked to contact Sgt Mark Hedges on 101 quoting crime reference ZY/2052/13.