Vandals as young as five are targeting trains on the Airedale line, the Keighley News can reveal.

The youngsters are putting their own lives -- as well as those of rail passengers -- at risk, say British Transport Police.

Now new efforts are planned to crack down on the culprits.

Patrols will be stepped up during the school summer holidays, when the number of incidents traditionally increases.

Sergeant Mick Jackson, of the British Transport Police, said that in the past three months there had been several separate instances of objects being hurled at trains.

He added: "When you take account of the speed of a moving train, the impact of a stone hitting a window is very considerable.

"The threat to people's safety is immense.

"Generally speaking those responsible tend to be aged between ten and 16, but some are as young as five. In a few cases even adults are involved.

"We target resources at identified hotspots, but also we have an on-going programme of visits to schools -- especially primaries -- to try to get across the message that railway lines are dangerous places.

"Children have a chance if they are hit by a car, but a train will kill them."

His comments coincided with the launch in Keighley this week of an initiative aimed at promoting the safety message to over 200 primary school children in the town.

A vintage train carriage was used as a mobile classroom in a venture jointly organised by the Keighley Worksafe Project and the Worth Valley Railway's Preservation Society.

Safety lessons were given as part of Worksafe's schools programme, funded by Keighley Single Regeneration Budget and the Bradford Health Action Zone.

Project manager Mick Williams said: "We are aware of increasing concerns regarding trespass on the railways by young people in this area.

"It is very important we encourage young children to stay away from the rail tracks and explain the horrific consequences of accidents involving fast moving trains and high voltage electricity cables.

"Children have to understand railways are not playgrounds and if they do trespass they could easily be killed."