CHILDREN are still gathering each day at the flower-strewn site next to the East Coast railway line where two boys died, causing locals to fear a repeat of Friday's tragedy.

A concerned householder called police yesterday lunch-time after seeing a girl near the track at the Five Arches bridge, in Darlington.

Officers sped to the scene, and found the youngster was safely on the other side of the fence.

A Durham Police spokeswoman said: "We had a call to say there was a youngster near the line. We sent someone down there to make sure she was not on the line. She was playing nearby."

One resident, whose house looks over the East Coast Main Line, where the two teenagers Stuart Adams and Lee Mullis died, said youngsters were still playing on the track.

Kenneth Watson said: "Teenagers are still going on to the line at the very same spot where the tragedy happened.

"I walk my dog down that area on a night and have seen no police.

"The railway police could be there at times when I am not, but there has been a large group of youngsters around the bridge and they were on the line.

"What I would hate to happen is another accident there.

"Two deaths is far too many as it is.

"Network Rail has put up a fence and the youngsters now know the danger of crossing it, so why do they keep going on the line?"

Mr Watson believes the youngsters are climbing over the fencing using the posts that carry the overhead lines on the north side of the bridge.

He said: "I think there is one large overhead crosspole. This is what I have seen being used and I have not seen any holes in the fencing."

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "We are aware youngsters have been going to the railway to lay flowers and pay their respects, which is more than understandable, but we have had no incidents of seeing children actually on the tracks.

"We have received one call from a member of the public who said they had seen youngsters on the track, but when we arrived, they were on the other side of the fencing.

"Obviously, if someone does see people on the track, they must call us."