YOUNG vandals were today blamed for trying to derail a passenger train by placing an object on Suffolk's main rail line.A passenger train was damaged after it struck the item and services on the Ipswich-Liverpool street line, while those on the Felixstowe-Ipswich track, were suspended.

YOUNG vandals were today blamed for trying to derail a passenger train by placing an object on Suffolk's main rail line.

A passenger train was damaged after it struck the item and services on the Ipswich-Liverpool street line, while those on the Felixstowe-Ipswich track, were suspended.

Today British Transport police said mischievous youngsters on their school holidays were thought to have placed the object – and warned children to stay away from the railway tracks because of the danger.

Passenger service provider 'one' Railway said trains were affected for just over two hours after the incident, while railway staff removed debris from the track and searched the line.

A spokeswoman said a train had hit the item and been damaged. No-one was injured.

"It caused a defect to the train. People were sent out to look at the track and services were suspended in the meantime," she said.

Trains were cancelled between on the branch line 11.35am and 1.25pm while an investigation took place and the checks were made to ensure there was no further danger to passengers.

A spokesman for Network Rail said the incident happened on the main line at the junction with the Felixstowe branch line.

A train was damaged and taken out of service and a section of track was also damaged where the train had dragged the item along.

Main line services were delayed while the area was repaired, and trains had to run at slower speeds through the affected area. Full service was resumed at 3.30pm.

Vandals are thought to be the cause of the incident, but track maintenance work was being carried out in the area and investigations into the cause are continuing.

A BT police spokesman said: "We believe it was youngsters – they are on their school holidays at the moment and that is usually why we see incidents of this kind happening.

"Our message is clear – they must keep away from the rail line.

"It is a very dangerous place to play and it is against the law to do so. They are putting themselves at risk and also the train drivers and their passengers."