People who walk along the island’s railway tracks are being warned to stay off them.

A spokesman for Isle of Man Transport, the agency that runs the island’s state-owned railways, said: ’It has become apparent that during the winter period in particular local residents use the Manx Electric Railway and Isle of Man Steam Railway lines for recreational activities.

’People may not be aware that even though the lines seem quiet, trains and trams are still running for engineering purposes and workmen are often on site carrying out maintenance.’

Head of engineering Andrew Cowie said: ’Every winter when our normal scheduled services end we see a rise in the number of people taking a risk on the railway lines.

’The Snaefell Mountain Railway, Steam Railway and Manx Electric Railway all have engineering train movements throughout the year, sometimes in the hours of darkness.

’We want to raise public awareness of this to ensure people keep away and stay safe.’

Posters will be displayed in popular areas as well as being distributed to all schools.