The family of teenager Aaron Keenan who was killed on a rail line last year have welcomed a new national campaign to warn of track dangers.

A record number of young people have died in the past year in Britain's rails and British Transport Police (BTP) and Network Rail have warned one in 10 teenagers admit walking along rail lines.

Even higher, 27 per cent of teenagers told a survey that they behaved in a way that could endanger their life on the railway.

Aaron was 19 when he fell asleep near the rail line near Kilpatrick station on June 25, 2017.

His family, in Whitecrook, spoke out on the anniversary of the tragic accident to warn others not to go near the line or use it as a short cut.

Mum Gillian Connelly said she welcomed the new campaign, called "You Vs Train".

She told the Post: "Something needs to get done, either highlighting the dangers or highlighting how easy it is to get on the tracks."

Gillian said there were a number of places to get on to the tracks between Bowling and Kilpatrick stations in particular.

Speaking last month, she said: "It’s used by adults and kids. What we worry about is the ease of access.

“If [speaking out] stops one person, then it’s taking that risk away.

“It’s hard to think it’s our son that’s gone, but there has to be a reason for his death.”

Dad Paul Keenan, 50, said: “It should be fenced. The biggest thing is to get awareness about these train lines.

“Stay well away from railway lines.”

BTP said the number of young people taking risks on the tracks has gone up by almost 80 per cent in the past five years.

In the past 12 months, seven youngsters under the age of 18 have lost their lives and another 48 have been seriously injured.

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 125 miles per hour, 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.”

A short film reenacting the story of a youth who died will be shared on social media and shown in cinemas this summer.

BTP Scotland Chief Inspector Davie Gray, said: “We hope the campaign will help young people to understand the risks, and help them to make the right decision and stay away from railway lines.

"Equally, it will also help them understand that bad decisions don’t just affect them, but they will have a deep and lasting impact on their families and friends as well. This campaign is not just for our young people but also their friends and family.”

You can view the campaign video on YouTube