CHILDREN are dicing with death on a notorious Worcester railway crossing.

The Brickfields footpath crossing, off Astwood Road, has been dubbed the worst in the region after 35 reported incidents in the last year, 21 of which involved youngsters.

And a city train driver has spoken of his horror as children played "chicken" on the line.

There have been three incidents of youths playing chicken' with oncoming trains, three of objects being left on the line, 10 stone-throwings and one of a train being struck by a pellet fired from an air rifle. Trespass and vandalism account for the remainder This week human scarecrows' have been brought in to keep children at bay.

Roy Hamlin, Network Rail's general manager, said: "The level and scale of misuse at Brickfields is quite shocking, especially when you consider the majority of these incidents involve young children.

"Like all level crossings, Brickfields is safe if used correctly, but through their actions these people are risking serious injury or even death."

Most of the 35 incidents at Brickfields were reported by train drivers.

Mike Roberts, a Central Trains driver based at Worcester Shrub Hill, gave a graphic account of how he was affected by the vandalism at the crossing: He said: "Some of the children like playing chicken, seeing who can be the last to cross the line before the train arrives.

"I've had it happen once or twice when they've got within 8-10 feet of the train, which is approaching the crossing at 45 mph.

"There is no way you can make the train swerve and it takes the best part of half a mile to stop. You sound the horn early then react with the brakes, but you can't swerve. Your stomach comes into your mouth."

The Brickfields foot crossing is now the worst rail crime hotspot in Network Rail's West Country area, an area stretching from the southern fringes of Birmingham, down through the West Country to Penzance in Cornwall.

The human scarecrows will not have any powers of arrest, which is why Network Rail is working in conjunction with British Transport Police (BTP).

Inspector Adeba Jama, of BTP, added: "Trespassing on the railway is a crime and we are working with Network Rail to try and reduce these types of incidents. We will be patrolling the area to try and catch any offenders putting obstructions on the track, trespassing or throwing items at trains."

Anyone with information about railway crime can report it to the BTP on 0800 405040 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 55 111.