POLICE have launched a poster campaign in a bid to encourage witnesses of the vandal attack on an Atherton railway to come forward.

Commuters on the Manchester Airport to Blackpool North train were lucky to escape injury when vandals placed a 16 foot long, three inch thick, rail across the tracks.

The incident, which happened on March 16 between midnight and 2 am is just one in a long line of vandalism on the line, which runs through Atherton and Hag Fold stations. Railtrack says the estate is one of the North-West's top 20 hotspots of concern.

DS Brookshaw, from Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are hoping the poster campaign may help to bring witnesses forward."

Anyone with information should contact: 0800 405040.