PASSENGERS are being urged to take extra care around train stations this Christmas

The Rail Safety and Standards Board and Network Rail has launched its Christmas campaign Lend a Helping Hand reminding people to be careful in stations to reduce festive falls.

The appeal comes as new figures reveal that the average number of "slips, trips and fall" incidents is 20 per cent higher in December than any other month.

This is due to a number of factors including an increase in leisure travellers who are less familiar with using stations, an increase in the number of passengers with luggage who are visiting friends and family and icy, wet weather conditions.

Graham Hopkins, director of safety at Network Rail, said: "Please don’t rush for your train, especially if you have luggage. If you see someone struggling with bags, prams, luggage or they just seem a little unsteady on their feet, lend a helping hand or ask a member of the station staff to."

CCTV footage will be available from Friday 18 December via the Network Rail Media Centre at http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/ and can be provided upon request.

For further information about the Lend a Helping Hand campaign please visit http://www.lendahelpinghand.co.uk/ #helpie