TEENAGE vandals went off the rails on Saturday night, causing several thousands of pounds worth of damage to a train carriage.

The Chorley to Leyland service set off at 10.50pm. Ten minutes later at its destination, guards discovered 12 windows had been smashed and the emergency tool kit, including a set of ladders, had been stolen.

Police are urging witnesses to come forward with information. Three teenage boys and a girl were seen boarding the train at Chorley and leaving at Leyland station.

Sergeant Andy Tomkins of the British Transport Police said: "This is mindless vandalism. The vandals could have used an emergency hammer on the train to break the windows.

"They could have been travelling back from the Chorley street fair held over the weekend."

If you have any information call the British Transport Police on 253682.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.