A teenager who fought off a kidnapper may have been safe if a night bus service had not been withdrawn, it has been claimed.

Jodie Cartwright, 16, from Durrington, near Worthing, was grabbed in Goring Street, Worthing, by a man who tried to force her into his car as she walked home from a night out.

The Durrington High School pupil fought back, pushed the man away and jumped over the fence of Northbrook College to escape.

Community leaders say it is exactly the type of attack they feared when a bus for late-night revellers was axed in 2004 because police and Worthing Borough Council withdrew funding.

A massive campaign was launched to reinstate the service in memory of 23-year-old Hayley Owen, who died in December 2004, after being thrown out of Thursdays nightclub, near Chichester.

She fell on to a live rail at the Drayton level crossing as she was walking home to Worthing.

More than 2,000 clubbers signed a petition calling for the reinstatement of the bus but their request for £10,000 funding to launch the service was refused by Worthing Borough Council.

Liberal Democrat borough councillor Keith Sunderland, 52, said: "The night bus would have helped avoid situations like the attack on Jodie Cartwright. It is exactly what the campaign has been about.

"People have been predicting an event like this. If she had been travelling home on a bus, this would be far less likely to happen.

"I would like to commend Jodie on her fast thinking. I hope she can get over this soon and go out and enjoy herself again."

Hayley's mother Cynthia said: "Jodie was very lucky. We have been dreading an event like this but unfortunately it is inevitable when young people are forced to walk home late at night.

"We have been refused funding by the borough council but by hook or by crook we will get there.

"I am determined to get the bus up and running for Hayley's sake and to make young people safer."

The attempted abduction took place on Tuesday last week at 11.30pm and the car drove towards Littlehampton on the A259.

The man who got out of the car is described as white, about 25, 5ft 10in, of average build with a shaven head, a goatee or unshaven face, and a local accent. He wore a dark coloured jacket, dark jeans and light-coloured trainers. The car is described as old and silver.

Anyone with information should contact DC Richard Bialoszewski at Worthing CID on 0845 6070999.