PASSENGER trains were almost derailed after hitting bricks yobs had placed on the tracks.

Police slammed the ‘stupid’ teenagers’ actions at Cherry Tree station, Blackburn, saying they put lives at risk.

The vandals kept putting bricks, bottles and other debris on the tracks, then going to a nearby bridge to watch what happened as the trains passed by.

British Transport Police were alerted to the incident by a passer-by, but the youths had fled when they arrived.

Several trains had smashed through the debris. However, the Blackpool North to York service had to stop for almost an hour at 5pm on Saturday for the line to be cleared.

Police Constable Chris Haughton said: “This sort of behaviour is extremely reckless.

“Thankfully no-one has been hurt yet, but if the problems persist it is only a matter of time before someone is injured.”

Glyn Hellam, spokesperson for BTP, said: “If a train strikes something and it is moving at high speed, there is always the potential for the train to derail.

“If that isn’t fatal, then injuries would be very, very serious.

“The youths are also putting themselves in great danger too.

“Trains can take a long time to stop and because the drivers sit in an elevated position, they can’t always see if anyone is there.”

Pleasington and Livesey councillor Alan Cottam slammed the actions as ‘stupid and dangerous’.

He said: “There are gangs of youths from time to time.

"Every generation has them and eventually they learn the ways of life and grow up. But this is a very stupid way to do it.

“I would urge the police to come at night when the kids are about and also speak to their parents, because I’m sure that they’re not happy that their children are hanging around on train lines.”

No arrests have been made as yet. Police have appealed for anyone with information to come forward.

Anyone with information on the incidents is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.