AN investigation is under way after two trams carrying schoolchildren collided head-on at a top tourist attraction.

The accident happened on Monday at Beamish Museum, the award-winning open air museum dedicated to the North-East's industrial past, near Stanley.

No-one was hurt but the two trams were damaged in the low-speed collision. The Railway Inspectorate, part of the Health and Safety Executive, is looking into the cause and made a preliminary investigation on Monday.

The two trams were carrying groups of teenagers, thought to be from schools in the Sunderland area, when they found themselves heading towards each other on the same line between Foulbridge and the Town.

The drivers of the trams, which were below the 12mph speed limit, braked but were unable to avoid an impact.

Paramedic crews were called to check passengers, who included some adults, but no-one needed hospital treatment.

The damaged trams, singe deckers Gateshead 10 and Beamish 196, were left in place for the rest of the day but other trams were able to operate on other section's of the museum's track.

Museum director Miriam Harte said that as well as the Railway Inspectorate investigation the museum would carry out its own inquiry into the incident.

She said: "The trams have had to be taken out of commission. There is only minor body damage to the 196, but the Gateshead 10 has a big dent in the front and could be out for several weeks."

Both of the tram drivers were back at work on Tuesday.

A Durham Police spokesman said that the Railway Inspectorate and Health and Safety Executive had been informed and that there were no reports of any casualties.

The museum did not close after the accident and part of the tramline closed after the shunt was re-opened on Tuesday.

An extra vintage bus has been laid on to cope with the summer crowds.