PASSENGERS travelling through Burnley dived for cover when a brick attack was launched at their train, scattering shards of glass across the carriages.

One window in each of the two carriages was shattered as the 10.09am First North Western train from Blackpool South to Colne made its way past Barden Mill, Burnley -- a spot where police have had several problems this week. It happened at 11.30am yesterday.

One man from the Burnley area was taken to hospital with whiplash and one woman suffered shock.

Sergeant Paul Moores, of the British Transport Police, said: "Pieces of ballast stone, which are the ones put next to the railway track, were thrown at the windows. Two windows were smashed and as a result the train was taken out of service.

"The driver saw children playing on the line and sounded his horn and he said they ran in to the bushes.

"He slowed down as he went past and they then threw the bricks.

"This is the third or fourth occasion this week where we have had problems with children hanging around the track in the Barden Mill area but by the time we get there they have gone.

"Someone was hurt this time and it could have been a lot more serious."

Arthur Pickles, 67, was in the second carriage travelling from his home in Blackpool to visit his son in Nelson.

He said: "There was a loud bang from the first carriage. Then almost immediately across from me another window was smashed and looked like it had been shot with a pellet gun.

"Everyone on the train started to panic and jump on the floor. The guard must have pulled to stop the train but people were hysterical and shouting for it not stop because they were frightened of being hit.

"It was like something from the Wild West. There was a bang, a smash and a big hole in the window. I wasn't injured but it has shook me up.

"The guard told me there had been a lot of trouble because of the children being on holiday."