A TRAIN was forced to grind to a halt after debris was deliberately thrown on to the tracks.

Metal bars, boulders and stones were strewn across the tracks near Winwick Quay which brought the Virgin train to a standstill.

The incident happened at 5pm on Thursday.

An extra 18 trains were also delayed as a result.

PC Robert Benson of British Transport Police said: "Obstructions of this size have the potential to derail a train and put passengers and railway workers lives at risk. Not to mention the danger associated with crossing the track in the first place."

Three hours earlier British Transport Police were called to Bank Quay station after vandals threw stones at a passing train causing substantial damage.

The previous day windows were smashed on a train travelling between Warrington and Earlestown.