Vandals risked serious injury when they put a fence post in the path of an oncoming freight train.

The train hit the post on rail track at Buckland Road, Cliffe at around 1.30pm this afternoon.

Police are now appealing for witnesses, saying it's lucky no-one was injured in the incident.

Sergeant Andrew Herbert, from the British Transport Police, called for anyone with information to come forward.

He said: “I cannot over-emphasise enough the dangers associated with this type of crime, and it is vital that we find those responsible.

“Thankfully this time, through luck, no-one was injured, but we may not be so fortunate if this happens again.

"Trains travel at high speeds and there is a very real risk when they strike objects on the track that they could be derailed.

“We are urging anyone who was in or around that area to contact us if they saw anything suspicious or have any information that may help us with our enquiries."

Anyone with information should contact the British Transplant Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 273 of 20/03/13 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.