Teenagers have been pictured mocking social distancing rules as they clamber over trains and walk along rail tracks.

In photos seen by the Packet via an open Instagram account, the three teenagers - two boys and a girl - have taken selfies of themselves both on top of and inside carriages belonging to Helston Railway.

They can also be seen walking along the train track and in front of the platform sign at Truthall Halt.

The five images are accompanied by the caption: "Social distancing? Never heard of that. Amazing day."

Their actions are in clear disregard to warning signs put up at the entrance to both the Prospidnick and Truthall Halt stations that the heritage railway group runs close to Trevarno near Sithney.

These state: "Danger. This is a working railway. No access without authorisation. Do not trespass."

Falmouth Packet:

A warning sign at Truthall Halt

Colin Savage, Helston Railway general manager, said there had been a spate of incidents involving trespassing at their sites and property, and pointed out the dangers of playing on a railway site.

He told the Packet: "We've already had graffiti under the bridge at Truthall Halt and people constantly walking up and down the line.

"If they fell off the top of the locomotive you're talking a 16/17 foot fall.

"At Trevarno it's out of the way, there's no road access. God forbid if they had a serious injury, I don't know what we'd do.

"Plus they're not observing social distances."

Mr Savage said he had reported the latest incident to the police, including the names and photographs of those involved, and was waiting to hear back from an officer.

Police had yet to open a log on the matter when contacted by the Packet. 

Mr Savage added that railway members regularly patrolled the tracks at different times of the day and would be looking out for any more incidents of trespassing.

Read next: Appeal over future of Helston Railway as it's 'hit hard' by Covid-19 crisis

Railway volunteers have been clearing and reopening the former Helston branch line since 2005 and before the coronavirus hit had been holding regular open days for families, including the popular Santa Specials each Christmas, giving people the chance to travel up and down the track.

Last month railway chairman James Packman was forced to appeal for help in keeping the facilities running, due to the bulk of its revenue - visitor income - dropping to zero when they were forced to close to the public due to social distancing restrictions.

An emergency appeal was set up that supporters could donate to via direct bank transfer to sort code 30-13-88, account number 00817269, with the payment reference EMAPP or through a cheque made payable to Helston Railway Preservation Company Ltd, reference EMAPP, can be sent to Helston Railway, Trevarno Farm, Prospidnick, Helston, Cornwall, TR13 0RY.

Mr Savage said that thanks to a combination of donations and accessing a grant, the charity was now in a better place financially although the appeal still remained open to support.