TWO passengers were injured when vandals threw a bottle through the window of a speeding train last night.

A middle-aged man and a woman in her early 20s were showered with glass and suffered cuts in the attack, on the outskirts of Darlington.

The busy commuter service was brought to a halt close to Dinsdale Station, near Middleton St George at about 6.45pm.

The 17.45 Arriva service from Newcastle to Saltburn had been travelling at about 50mph when the bottle was thrown from the trackside.

Sergeant Mick Turnbull, of British Transport Police, said: "Two passengers were showered in glass and suffered minor cuts, but they were very shocked by the experience, as was the conductor who was standing next to them at the time.

"It was very dangerous and has put a train out of action.

"It is a mindless attack which could have involved serious injury. I would urge parents to ask children where they were last night."

The incident came just hours after officers joined the train operator to warn children of the dangers of playing on railway lines.

Figures for 2001/2 reveal there were 2,357 incidents of railway trespass in the region, though the overall trend is falling. But last year, 46 cases were recorded of missiles being thrown at trains.

Ray Price, managing director of Arriva Trains Northern, said: "With the light nights and children on their summer break, this is the time when the temptation to investigate new places to play can be greater than ever.

"We need parents to help us remind youngsters that to fool around near railway lines is very dangerous.

"They need to be encouraged to play safe and not put themselves in a position where people could be hurt or killed."

Arriva and transport police have been delivering warning leaflets to communities where railway trespass is a problem.

A programme of "train shadowing" has also begun, which involves a police officer travelling on selected trains and reporting trespassers to a mobile crew following the route by car. This is designed to provide a rapid response to any incidents.

Chief Inspector Danny Snee, of the transport police, said: "Our message is to children is to keep away from the tracks and do not put yourselves in danger.

"Those who ignore the warnings and commit offences will face prosecution."

A transport police free-phone number (0800) 405040 is available to report trespassers or anyone acting suspiciously near railways.

* In June, a Virgin train driver was injured when youngsters playing "chicken" on a railway line in Albert Hill, Darlington, threw a brick at his cab, smashing the windscreen.