Train operator Northern has shared that its trains have struck 97 objects in the past twelve months.

Ten of the recorded incidents reportedly caused damage to carriages.

Such damaged carriages would have had to be taken out of service for repairs.

Among the items that trains came into contact with were bicycles, a wheelie bin, bricks, fence panels, a garden gate, road signs, shopping trollies, and traffic cones.

Matt Rice, chief operating officer at Northern, said: "Our trains travel at high speed and any item on the track represents a risk to the train and the safety of everyone on board.

"Whilst some items might end up on the tracks due to high winds or accidents, some are deliberately placed there by people with no regard for the safety of others.

"Those people should know that the majority of our trains are now fitted with external CCTV cameras and that footage can be viewed by British Transport Police in real time.

"We would appeal to anyone committing this senseless activity to stop – and remind them that it is a criminal offence to trespass on the railway."

Anyone who witnesses items being thrown or placed on the tracks can contact British Transport Police by text on 61016 or by calling 0800 40 50 40.

The British Transport Police's ‘Railway Guardian’ app, which allows users to report crimes or concerns on the rail network, is available to download from Google Play and the Apple App Store.