THE high amount of relatively old track on the East Coast Mainline leads to more breaks than any other main railway line in Britain, an inquiry has concluded.

A Rail Accident Investigation Branch report was launched following three breaks on the line, two in North Yorkshire and one in Lincolnshire, between 2012 and 2013.

In February 2013, the line was closed for five hours after railway workers found a 14.5cm crack at Hambleton, near York, where the maximum speed limit for trains was 125mph.

Four months earlier, an 11cm crack was discovered in a rail at Copmanthorpe, near York.

None of the breaks caused damage to trains or injuries.

The RAIB said the number of breaks on the line was caused by "the relatively high proportion of older track".

Network Rail said it had changed its procedures to identify and repair tracks before they become dangerous.