CHESHIRE Constabulary and British Transport Police (BTP) have teamed up to deliver a series of presentations to schools in Widnes to keep pupils on track with railway safety.

The initiative follows recent incidents involving public disorder and antisocial behaviour and incidents in which trains and railway power lines have been damaged through vandalism - specifically the explosion on the Busway Bridge, Grangeway, Runcorn and the damage caused to a late night train from Warrington Central to Liverpool Lime Street following a junior disco at Mr Smiths in Warrington.

On Monday officers attended All Saints Primary School, Hough Green to warn children of the dangers of playing on or near railway lines and to deter them from committing acts of vandalism on the railway network.

PC Dave Thomason, of the Widnes Community Action Team (CAT), said: 'Railways can be dangerous places for young people so it's vital we educate them about keeping themselves safe, but it's also important for us to stress the consequences they will face if they break the law and put the lives of passengers and railway staff at risk.'

A BTP spokesman added: 'It's important that youngsters understand the dangers associated with the railway.

'All too often our officers are called to incidents where children have been seriously injured or where people's lives have been put at risk because of vandalism on the railway.

'We hope that the children will find the talks useful and take on board some of the important messages.'

Officers from Widnes CAT were on hand to talk about when it is appropriate to use the 999 emergency phone number.

They also demonstrated the personal protection equipment they use during the course of their duty and answered questions from the pupils.