Parents in Cornwall are being urged to speak to their children as alarming new figures reveal youngsters are twice as likely to trespass on railway tracks over summer, compared with winter.

UK statistics show trespass doubles in August compared to December. 

In 2015, there were 128 reports of trespass across the South West during the summer, resulting in 4,694 minutes of delays to passengers.

This summer, British Transport Police and Network Rail are urging parents to warn their children of the dangers of playing on the tracks. 

Over the past 10 years, almost 170 young people in the UK have lost their lives after trespassing on the railway. The data shows that just under half of those killed are under the age of 25. 

In response to the seasonal surge in incidents, officers from British Transport Police are stepping up patrols across the region.  

To find out how to keep your children safe on the railway this summer visit http://www.networkrail.co.uk/safety-education/information-for-parents/