A mother-of-three potentially saved the lives of teenagers who played on the tracks at Sandwich station minutes before a train was due.

Jenny Binfield, 46, of Mill View in Eastry was picking up her daughter who was on her way back from Ramsgate on Monday night.

She was due to get off the 7.38pm train - but at 7.25pm the group, who were thought to be no older than 13, were walking on the tracks.

Ms Binfield got out of her car went to the edge of the platform to warn them of the dangerous act they were committing.

She said: “I shouted stop and they started calling me names.

“They were only about 12 and I had to scream and shout.

“My nine-year-old in the car was getting upset because they were swearing at me.”

She claimed one boy, who she thought was the youngest, ran the width of the line.

The said there were two lads others jumping up and down onto the tracks.

“As soon as I saw a boy running across the track I was out of the car,” she said.

“I think my screaming stopped them - it was amazing for them not to be killed.”

As her daughter got off the train, which was on time, the lads got on.

It is believed they are students from Castle Community College in Deal.

Jane Hadlow, interim principal at Castle Community, said: “We are aware of it and are working with the police and parents.

“It is totally unacceptable and we are very concerned about why they weren’t at home doing their homework and supervised by their parents.

“They have let the school down and this is not the school’s ethos.”

"I think my screaming stopped them - it was amazing for them not to be killed"- Ms Binfield

Ms Binfield has since called for more CCTV to catch people who put themselves at risk and to prevent future fatalities.

The police tweeted: “Officers are asking for parents to make sure their kids know the dangers of playing around railway tracks."

A spokesman from the British Transport Police said: “Officers are currently investigating and would encourage anyone with information to get in touch.

“BTP do not tolerate any type of antisocial or aggressive behaviour on trains or at stations, and all passengers have a right to travel and wait in a safe and secure environment.

“Anyone waiting at a station is expected to behave in acceptable manner to their surroundings and fellow passengers, and those that don’t will be dealt with accordingly.

“We would encourage anyone who witnesses any antisocial behaviour or other activity that makes them concerned for their safety of the safety of others to always report it to us."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact: 0800 40 50 40, or text on 61016, quoting reference 163 of 29/09/15.