A group of youths have been slammed for putting people at risk after they appeared to attempt to derail a train by placing wooden sleepers across a railway track. 

The "highly dangerous" incident happened along the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway Line at about 3.30pm yesterday (April 24).

As well as blocking the track they also set fire to wooden sleepers under a Victorian bridge, which has since been reported to the police.

Eastern Daily Press: Nick Champion, managing director of Wells and Walsingham Light RailwayNick Champion, managing director of Wells and Walsingham Light Railway (Image: Newsquest)

Nick Champion, managing director for the heritage railway company, said: "It's apparent that the attempted derailment of a public train service, and subsequent arson was the work of local youngsters.

"I'm sure they didn't think through the consequences as they embarked on their actions but the reality is that had a train carrying passengers collided with their barrier then adults and children could have been really hurt - never mind the physical damage to the locomotive and carriages.

"Setting sleepers alight under a brick bridge is also highly dangerous and thankfully, it was extinguished by our team before any structural damage occurred." 

Eastern Daily Press: A wooden sleeper was placed across the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway tracks A wooden sleeper was placed across the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway tracks (Image: Wells & Walsingham Light Railway)

Wells and Walsingham Light Railway has been transporting passengers since the 1980s and claims to be the 'smallest in the world'.

Riding on one of its steam trains is a popular activity for visitors and locals alike in the summer months, with its carriages holding 30-40 people at a time.

After calling on locals for information about the incident through posting on Facebook, the parents of the youngsters involved have come forward.

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Eastern Daily Press: The group set fire to sleepers under a Victorian railway bridge on the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway LineThe group set fire to sleepers under a Victorian railway bridge on the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway Line (Image: Wells & Walsingham Light Railway)

Mr Champion added: "We are grateful to the community who came together to help identify the individuals responsible and we would like to make it clear that the parents have been shocked by the incident and have been proactively in contact with us.

"We would hope that they will learn from this and look to find more productive and fulfilling outputs for their energy."

Anyone with information can contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101.