THE backlash from a Darlington rail line tragedy engulfed the town this week.

As police pledged tough action in the wake of the deaths of two teenagers last Friday, the borough council insisted that activities were provided for young people.

Speculation has been rife that alcohol played a big part in the incident in which Stuart Adams and Lee Mullis were killed on the main line just outside Darlington.

They died after being hit by the 8.30pm Manchester Airport to Newcastle train at Five Arches Bridge where they had been playing on the track.

It has also emerged that Darlington is the "capital" of railway vandalism and the seventh worst place nationally for people trespassing on rail lines.

Throughout the week, groups of young people have gathered close to the place where the boys died. Flowers and other tributes have been placed at the scene.

Friends who were with the pair just before the fatal accident said they had been among a group of youths who had been drinking.

Police said there would be laboratory reports on whether alcohol played any part in the deaths.

But they pledged tough action against anyone caught selling drink to under-age youngsters.

The hard line has been reinforced by calls for more facilities for young people in the town.

Lee's mother, Christine Mullis, this week spoke of the poignant last words she said to her son.

Just an hour before the accident, she told him by mobile phone: "Don't dream of coming home covered in mud."

Mrs Mullis said it was possible her son had had some alcoholic drink. But she insisted that during that last conversation "he had not sounded drunk".

* Trespass "a daily problem": page 5