Railtrack Southern has launched a campaign in a bid to stop dangerous acts of trespass and vandalism on the railways during the summer holidays.

Children as young as five have been caught putting objects on the track and eight-year-olds have been caught playing 'chicken' in front of high-speed trains. The number of recorded incidents is also on the increase.

The company warns that every single act of trespass and vandalism has the potential to cause serious harm, even death, and its effects can cause long-term damage.

In an attempt to combat this during the summer months hundreds of operational staff will be tackling the problem head on using a number of initiatives, including undercover spy trains, unmarked rapid response patrol cars, motorcycle response units, a battle bus, major fencing repairs and renewals and a scrap clearance programme.

David Pape, Railtrack Southern's operations manager, said summer was a common time for trespass and vandalism with youngsters using stations as unofficial youth clubs.

"Every day we receive reports of children using the railway as an adventure playground and it is deeply worrying," he said.

"Without exception, on every occasion, children put themselves at risk of either being electrocuted or being hit by a train. The consequences are immediate and are often fatal. The chances of a train stopping in time are virtually nil.

"Railtrack is working day and night to try to tackle trespass and vandalism on the railways, but I would appeal to local communities and parents to help us in our efforts."

During last year, 4,100 incidents were reported in the southern zone, with almost 1,000 incidents of trains striking objects due to vandalism. In Andover alone 32 incidents were recorded.