RAILTRACK has sent out thousands of letters to schools in a bid to stop tragic accidents during the summer holidays.

The letters, warning children not to play on railway lines, are targeting under 16s.

Last year 19 children under 16 died on the country's rail network. In the first six months of 1997 there have been 16 fatalities.

Railtrack bosses hope their high-profile safety campaign will discourage youngsters from hanging around railway lines during the summer months, vandalising property.

British Transport Police figures show that 90 per cent of railway crime is committed by teenagers and even children as young as five or six have been seen playing near tracks.

Aiden Nelson, Railtrack's director of lineside safety, said: "Every day we receive reports of children using the railway as an adventure playground.

"Without exception, on every occasion, youngsters put themselves at risk of being hit by a train. The consequences are immediate and often fatal, for the chances of a train stopping in time are virtually nil."

Incidents can now be reported on the British Transport Police's emergency hotline on 0800 40 50 40.

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