RAIL commuters lives are being put at risk on a daily basis by vandals targeting the Bolton railway network.

Figures reveal more vandal attacks in the Bolton and Manchester areas than anywhere else in Britain.

Areas singled out by rail bosses include the Farnworth tunnel, Westhoughton, Daisy Hill and Atherton areas.

Passing trains have been pelted with bricks, tree branches and, in one of the worst incidents in Little Hulton earlier this year, a paving stone hung from a rope crashed through the window of a moving train narrowly missing the driver.

Tree trunks have also been put on lines.

In the 12 months to March figures reveal there were 1,269 incidents in the North-west which could have caused a fatal derailment or injury. More than half the attacks took place in Greater Manchester.

The British Transport Police figures show that vandalism on the region's railways rose by more than 240 per cent over the last year.

Now rail passengers groups are calling for increased security to stem the soaring rise in incidents, which are costing the industry £250 million a year.

John Moorhouse, secretary of the Rail Passengers Committee for the North-west, said the rise in the number of incidents was "very regrettable".

He added: "This is an issue we take very seriously. Railtrack and the British Transport Police are doing what they can with extremely limited resources. We feel those resources should be improved.

"It is difficult to stop children getting on to railway lines if they are intent on committing acts of vandalism.

"Parents and the wider community need to teach children to stay away from the tracks."

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "Putting obstructions in front of trains, hanging concrete blocks from bridges and other offences are daily occurrences.

"They can lead to serious injury and can even derail trains. Vandalising vital signalling equipment is also putting lives at risk."

Anyone who sees children trespassing on the railway is urged to report it to the British Transport Police on 0800 405040.