A youth accused of starting a bus blaze that caused s30,000 worth of damage to the vehicle will have to face a judge.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, allegedly began the fire on the top deck of a H18 bus in Alexandra Avenue, South Harrow, on the morning of Sunday May 18.

He did not enter pleas to charges of arson with intent to endanger life and of reckless arson when he appeared before Harrow Youth Court, Rosslyn Crescent, Harrow, on Tuesday.

The magistrates declined jurisdiction and told the teenager to return to the youth court on September 16, when the case will be committed to Harrow Crown Court, where he will plead.

They bailed the youth on the condition he neither boards a bus unless accompanied by an adult nor carries a lighter or flammable materials in public.