A campaign is under way aimed at keeping children away from railway lines over the half term holiday.

British Transport Police wants parents to keep a closer eye on their children after a sharp increase in the number of youngsters playing on, or vandalising, lines.

Officers claim children are using railway lines across the region as playgrounds and leaving objects in the path of trains.

More than 3,000 reports of vandalism have been reported to British Transport Police in Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and the North East since April 2002.

British Transport Police say children are in danger

Chief Inspector Danny Snee told BBC Look North that the problem gets worse during school holidays.

He said: "They may see the railway as some sort of a playground, but we're constantly trying to get the message across that it's a dangerous place to be."

Train companies, whose services are often disrupted by vandalism, want parents to take more interest in what their children get up to.

Arriva Trains spokesman Ray Price said: "We recognise that parents have got busy lives, but just ask the question 'where are my children this weekend?'.

"Are they playing safe? Are they away from the railways?"