STONE-throwing thugs showered terrified passengers in broken glass when they ambushed a train in Bolton town centre.

The yobs hurled bricks at a commuter service as it passed close to Moor Lane, smashing two windows and causing hundreds of pounds worth of damage.

British Transport Police say the attack was part of a catalogue of vandalism and trespass on Bolton's railways over the Easter holidays.

During the two-week spell police were called six times to tracks around the town where obstructions had been placed in front of trains or youngsters were seen playing games of "chicken".

A BTP spokesman said: "Throwing stones at a moving train could lead to somebody being seriously injured or even killed.

"Each of these incidents is very serious. Whenever someone trespasses on to the line, they put their life in danger.

"The Easter period is a time when we tend to see an increase in crime on the network but we will continue to target the area all year round."

Police said the vandals attacked the train at 8.05pm on Thursday April 11.

The Southport to Manchester Airport train was travelling south through the town and had slowed as it prepared to enter Bolton station when it was bombarded with stones.

Nobody was injured but £400 pounds worth of damage was caused to a carriage.

The same stretch of line was also left blocked with tree branches in the evening of Saturday April 7 and, on Tuesday April 10, youths were seen placing chunks of concrete on the rails, although no damage was reported to any trains.

In separate incidents youths were seen playing on lines near to Bolton station on Tuesday April 3, at Bromley Cross station on Sunday April 8 and at Hall i' th' Wood station on Friday April 13.

Bolton was one of 10 areas across the North-west which was targeted by extra patrols over the Easter break, a period when incidents of crime on the railways often soars.

Police patrolled on off-road motorbikes to respond to incidents and catch offenders.

Anyone with information about a crime should contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.