Children as young as five have been spotted "dicing with death" next to railway lines in Carlisle.

The three youngsters were caught on CCTV risking their lives at Eden Viaduct, near to Carlisle's Sheepmount,  where trains zoom past at up to 90mph.

The British Transport Police (BTP) has revealed they were spotted on numerous occasions between April 22 and May 1.

In a separate incident, officers also recently came across two children aged just six and nine playing near to the tracks at Kingmoor.

With the school holidays fast approaching police are reiterating the dangers of trespassing and playing next to railway lines.

BTP Sergeant Garry Ashbridge said: "The fact is that given the speeds these trains are travelling, drivers cannot stop in time to avoid someone on the line. 

"Sadly we have seen far too many instances of children who thought they were just indulging in some harmless fun being struck by trains.

“To have to visit the home of that child and break the news to their family is beyond devastating.”

A spokeswoman for the force said the images have shocked officers who are now trying to identify the children.

Sgt Ashbridge said: "The age of these children is astonishing – I fear one of them may even be about five-years-old. 

"I urge their older playmates or friends to lead by example and not encourage them to risk their lives by following them onto the railway. 

"Hanging around near railways tracks is simply just not worth the risk.

"I’m confident that the parents of these children had no idea they were literally putting their lives on the line and we would urge all parents and guardians to be aware of where their children are going when they’re out of sight."

On the two children found at Kingmoor, Sgt Ashbridge confirmed officers explained the dangers of their actions to the youngsters, before driving them home to their parents.

"Neither set of parents realised this was where their children had been and were grateful that they had been brought home safely,” he added

A Network Rail spokesman said: "Not only is trespassing on the railway dangerous for the trespassers, it also puts the safety of others at risk. Additionally, trespass almost inevitably causes delays to rail services which can have a knock on to other wider network and major disruption for passengers.

“The cost to society and the tax payer of this can be huge and we urge everybody to behave responsibly and be vigilant in identifying and reporting trespass.”