A TRAIN guard was taken to hospital after a laser pen was shone into his eye as his train travelled through Blackburn.

The incident happened on the Blackburn side of Mill Hill station at about 4.15pm on Christmas Eve.

The Blackpool South to Colne train had passed a trespasser walking along the side of the track.

A laser pen was shone into the back cab of the train, where guard Peter Bird was sitting.

Sergeant Paul Moores, of the British Transport Police, said: "It got him in the right eye, making it very red and angry and watering profusely."

The guard, who also had blurred vision, was relieved of his duties in Blackburn where the train was halted.

Passengers had a disrupted journey as they had to get off when the train was stopped.

Mr Bird, who lives in the Blackpool area, went back as a passenger to Blackpool on the same train and was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Sgt Moores said: "On this occasion there was no risk to passengers but obviously there is a danger to health.

"The misuse of laser pens appears to be a growing trend and it is only a matter of time before there is some injury."

The area was searched but there was no trace of the offender.

Anyone with information about the incident can contact the freephone British Transport Police number on 0800 40 50 40.

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