POLICE are trying trace a man who opened a train door as it attempted to leave Darlington railway station.

British Transport Police (BTP) Officers have released an image of a man they want to speak with following the incident which happened on Thursday, January 19 around 4.20pm, on the Kings Cross to Aberdeen East Coast service.

The train was then forced to make an emergency stop while the door was secured resulting in a 15-minute delay to the service and others on the network.

Investigating officer PC Tanya Rickard said: “This was a reckless act which could have quite easily resulted in someone being badly injured in addition to causing unnecessary delays to hundreds of passengers.”

East Coast station manager at Darlington, Phil Crow, said: “This man clearly disregarded the safety of others on the train and the platform by deliberately opening the train door.

“There are strictly-defined safety procedures governing the safe despatch of trains from our stations.

"It’s only due to the quick actions of a member of our staff that this incident did not have an even more serious outcome.

“We fully support the British Transport Police in their appeal for information which may help them to trace this man.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting incident 242 of 19/01/2012. Information can also be passed to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.