AN innovative play will be staged in Bolton this week to more than 1,000 schoolchildren in a bid to put them on the right track . . .

The 1,200 youngsters will be shown a new Railtrack play entitled 'I Dare You' in which the issue of railway crime is tackled.

The hard-hitting drama shows the dangers of trespass and vandalism on the railway network.

It is being staged by Railtrack North West as part of its ongoing campaign to deter young children from risking their lives, and those of others, by straying on to or damaging railway property.

Bolton is among the venues chosen for the play to be staged because of the high numbers of trespass and vandalism incidents which occur on the area's railway.

British Transport Police figures show that last year there were more than 1,500 reported offences of crime in the Manchester area, each with the potential for ending in serious injury or death.

A Health and Safety Executive annual report on railway safety shows more than 244 people - 7 being children under 16-years-old - were killed while trespassing on the railway in 1995-96.

'I Dare You' is set beside an urban railway line.

It tells the story in soap opera style of how peer pressure within a gang of teenage boys and girls leads to more serious behaviour which has an increasing effect on the railway, eventually resulting in tragedy.

Chris Leah, director of Railtrack North West, said: "Our aim is to use the powerful medium of drama to educate young children in a thought provoking way to show how railway crime can lead to tragic consequences.

"This is the first time the North-west has used live drama to bring home key safety messages to children in a way which it is hoped will be interesting, relevant and have real impact."

The play is produced by Leeds-based design and communications company Graphic Ad.

It will be performed by the Figment Theatre Company from Huddersfield.

Two 'real-life' British Transport Police constables will have cameo roles in the drama.

It will be staged in the Albert Hall on Wednesday.

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