One in 10 teenagers admit to walking on Britain's railway tracks, a new survey suggests.

The research was commissioned to mark the launch of a safety campaign by the rail industry and British Transport Police (BTP).

The You Vs Train initiative comes after three graffiti artists died after being hit by a train near Loughborough Junction station, south London in the early hours of June 18.

Seven children have been killed and a further 48 have received life-changing injuries on the railway in the past 12 months.

There is a lack of awareness about the dangers of the network, according to the campaign.

Almost a third (31 per cent) of teenagers do not believe there is a risk of severe burns from electricity if they go on the tracks.

Some 15 per cent think it is safe to walk on the railway if you check a timetable first, while 17 per cent believe it is safe to retrieve an item dropped on the tracks if you leave straight away.

Trespass data from the Rail Safety and Standards Board shows that the number of young risk takers on the railway doubles during the summer holidays.

Allan Spence, head of public and passenger safety at Network Rail, said: "Hundreds of people each year unintentionally take on the railway and lose.

"This year we have already seen a record number of young people losing their life or being injured on the track.

"The railway is full of both obvious and hidden dangers.

"The electricity on the railway is always on and always dangerous.

"Trains can also travel up to 125mph, so even if a driver can see your child they can't stop in time and they can't change direction.

"Parents, please help us keep your children safe by educating them about what they take on when they step on the track."