A MAJOR witness appeal has been launched after thugs hurled bricks at a new fire engine.

The attack resulted in the engine being put out of action for two weeks for repairs. The fire engine was being driven in the vicinity of Coronation Drive on Monday evening when bricks were launched at the side of vehicle causing damage to the cabinet shutters.

A fire service spokesman said: 'This was a new machine worth at least £150,000 and the bricks hit the levers on the lockers and made it very difficult to open. It means it is out of action for a couple of weeks.

'This is mindless thuggery and the police are looking into it.

'There have been a few incidents where stones have been thrown at crews, but this kind of attack is not an every day occurrence.'