THERE'S nothing worse when travelling on public transport than coming face-to-face with drunken yobs.

The encounter can be a frightening and sometimes dangerous experience, particularly for the elderly and the vulnerable.

Only recently, in our region, tearaways actually set fire to an elderly woman's hair - just for the fun of it.

So we are shocked to learn that boozed-up youngsters have contributed to a huge rise in drink-fuelled disorder on the region's railways.

British Transport Police say that public disorder offences have shot up by 36 per cent. And a fair percentage of these and other violent offences were down to drunkenness.

So we wonder how the Government's plan for extended licensing hours can help bring down these unacceptable figures.

Transport police have a hard enough job as it is, without the possibility of more drink-fuelled youngsters riding their trains.

However, we are pleased to hear that one transport operator is on the right track in trying to stamp out any sickening scenes on their trains.

GNER, the East Coast Mainline operator, has a zero tolerance attitude towards alcohol-related incidents and now plans to permanently 'gate' access to more station platforms by installing barriers.

This enables staff to screen passengers who may be under the influence of drink and prevent them from getting onto trains.

We gather the move has already proved a success at Newcastle railway station on football match days and at this year's Royal Ascot in York.

Let's hope it proves the end of the line for these drunken pests.