A TRAIN driver was left shocked after a brick was thrown through his windscreen near Darlington last night.

British Transport Police confirmed the incident had taken place and involved the 16.57 service from Middlesbrough to Bishop Auckland.

A spokesman said at 5.24pm "an item was thrown at the driver's cab window" from a bridge over the railway in the Dinsdale area.

He said this caused the outer skin of the window to smash.

No injuries were reported by the driver and train terminated at Darlington.

A passenger who contacted The Northern Echo said: "I was on board in the first carriage of two and the train was pretty full given the time of day.

"After stopping at Dinsdale, the train gathered speed heading for Darlington and as we passed under a red brick bridge, there was a loud bang and the sound of breaking glass. After a few seconds the train ground to a halt and there was an announcement that the train had stopped because someone had thrown a brick at it."

The witness said the driver appeared looking a bit shaken and together with the guard they made a few calls before proceeding to Bank Top.

"They announced that the train would terminate here," he said.

"On leaving the train the driver appeared and I asked if he was ok? He said he was but had some unrepeatable things to say about the person or persons who threw the missile."

The BTP spokesman said police were called to the scene and searched the area, but no one was found.

Anyone with information is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.