STRONGMAN Dave Gauder put his extraordinary muscle-power to good use yesterday - to press home the dangers of railway crime.

About 200 local schoolchildren gathered at the National Railway Museum in York to see a high-speed train move under Dave-power.

Dave, who holds 17 unchallenged world strength records, pulled the museum's 66-tonne 1972 HST prototype power car with the help of only a harness and a short length of line.

The train pull was part of a day dedicated to educating children about the potential dangers of misbehaving on the railway.

Year five and six pupils from schools in Doncaster and York took part.

After the train pull Dave gave his own moving presentation about his own experiences of bullying and peer pressure and explained how he overcame them.

British Transport Police officers and train drivers who have first-hand experience of rail crime and its effects then told the youngsters of their experiences.

Network Rail's regional operations and safety manager Tony Walton said: "Any act of crime on the railway has the potential to lead to loss of life and education is a vital part of the rail industry's efforts to tackle route crime."

"By attending this event these children have not only had the opportunity to witness a train pull but also to hear from industry staff with direct experience of route crime.

"I hope they went away having enjoyed the day and with a clear understanding of the danger of crime on the railway and share this with their friends and family."