ROLLER-SKATERS are dicing with death again as problems of trespassing continue on the railways in a North-East town.

Shocked commuters watched in horror as a boy played a game of dare in front of a train near Hartlepool station, close to a train arriving from the east Durham coast, on Friday.

Passengers saw the boy join a group of friends aged about ten or 11 who had crossed the track, and he wheeled alongside the track as the train approached.

It is unlikely the train would have been able to stop to avoid hitting him if the boy had fallen into its path.

British Transport Police said the area was a blackspot for youngsters risking their lives.

Police said other incidents involving young vandals risking the lives of passengers, train staff and themselves included hanging iron bars on ropes over track bridges in the hope that they would smash into train cabs; climbing into manholes and recklessly sticking their heads out as a train passed in games of chicken; and riding bikes alongside or on the track as trains approached.

The problems have not declined, despite high- profile patrols by police and track operators Railtrack and since the death 18 months ago of Lee Anderson, 13, of Earl Street, Hartlepool, who was hit by a train while trespassing on the line.

British Transport Police are expected to launch a national campaign later this month as part of a renewed clampdown on the problem, and are even enlisting the help of a helicopter equipped with a thermal imaging camera to patrol trespass troublespots