PASSENGERS on a late night train were delayed for two hours when plastic barriers got caught up under its wheels.
The train was pulling out of Earlestown Station at 11.45pm on Tuesday when a plastic roadwork barrier thrown on to the line by vandals became stuck under the train.
It took train maintenance crews two hours to remove the barrier from the Chester bound train, which had set off from Manchester Piccadilly station. Another two barriers were also found lying on the side of the tracks.
It is believed that they were taken from the Bradlegh Road area, where road works are currently being carried out.
Officers from British Transport Police are now surveying CCTV footage in attempt to identify the offenders.
Jon Ratcliffe from British Transport Police said: "Throwing any large objects on to the tracks is foolish and dangerous. A large object has the potential to derail a train. This kind of thing is especially problematic at this time of year with the summer holidays."
Anyone with information about the culprits should call British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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