The bus was stolen from the Burnside Garage of James Cooper and Son in Annitsford before being driven on a several mile chase in and around Seghill last October.

It only came to a stop when it crashed into a lamppost at a roundabout in Earsdon after police used stingers to burst the vehicle's tyres.

Four men, who were all teenagers at the time of the offence on October 6, have now pleaded guilty to being driven in the stolen bus.

Karl Amers, of the Spinney, Cramlington; Robert Thompson, of Burradon Road, Burradon; Louis Howe, of Allanville, Camperdown, all 19, and James Bennett, 20, of Moor View, Camperdown, all admitted one charge of allowing themselves to be carried in the stolen bus.

They denied a more serious offence of aggravated vehicle taking.

The four were ordered to re-appear at Newcastle Crown Court for sentence on September 14.

They were released on conditional bail but Judge Esmond Faulks warned that custody was a possibility.