BORO'S Stewart Downing took time out from his busy training schedule to offer his support to Network Rail's No Messin'! campaign.

In the past year, almost 50 people were killed and hundreds more were injured on the railway, crossing the tracks, taking short cuts, messing around or playing chicken. The majority of these were young people.

The No Messin'! campaign promotes alternative activities which young people can get involved with. The website, www.no-messin.com has details of these plus live events where young people can go along and try a new activity. There is also a competition where they can win prizes including an MP4 player.

Stewart said: "I think the No Messin'! campaign is a fantastic idea. I'm tempted to say that it's on the right track. Seriously, it's an important message that I would advise young people to take notice of. Train lines can seem like good places to explore but the fatal accidents that happen tell a different story.

"Network Rail are clearly looking at the problem from a different slant so I wish everyone well with the campaign. The more young people that hear the message the better."

In addition to the No Messin'! campaign Network Rail has a team of dedicated Railway Crime Education Managers who work closely with other parts of the railway industry, offering railway safety information and visiting schools, youth offending teams, youth clubs and local authorities throughout the UK.

They also work with other organisations such as football clubs, the Rugby League and the British Wrestling Association to help promote the rail safety message to children and young people.