A RAIL operator is urging parents to make sure their children understand the dangers of playing near railway lines.

With the half-term holiday fast approaching, Arriva Trains Northern and British Transport Police are stepping up their campaign to keep youngsters off the tracks.

Arriva Trains Northern's commercial director Dyan Crowther said: "With children set to go on their half-term break, this is when the lure of investigating new places to play grows.

"Some children might think that it could be exciting to fool around near railway lines, but the reality is that it is incredibly dangerous.

"By asking more parents to help us remind youngsters about the hazards of trespassing, we can persuade them to play safe this half-term break and not put themselves in a position where they could be hurt or even killed."

Danny Snee, the chief inspector of British Transport Police, said: "We ask all parents to ensure their young children stay off the railway lines and have a safe half-term.

"We also urge those that are old enough to recognise the dangers to not put themselves in danger and keep away from railway tracks.

"They should understand that if they ignore the warnings and go on to commit offences, they will face prosecution."

Arriva is planning a number of initiatives designed to reduce trespassing and vandalism. These include train shadowing programmes, which involve police officers travelling in train cabs and reporting any trespassers to mobile crews following train routes by car to provide a faster response.