BOLTON boxing hero Amir Khan is backing a scheme urging young people to get active in the summer holidays but to keep away from railway lines.

The 19-year-old Olympic silver medallist paid a visit to Hopwood College in Rochdale yesterday as part of the campaign.

The event was organised by Network Rail as part of its drive to reduce death and injury by giving young people ideas for positive ways to spend their time.

In the past 12 months, almost 50 people were killed and hundreds more injured either crossing the tracks, taking short cuts or playing on the lines.

Yesterday the young people, who were all aged between 10 and 16, could try football, being a DJ, urban dance, a climbing wall and a surf simulator.

Launching the event, Amir said: "There's no excuse for mucking about on train tracks.

"You may think you're clever and fast, but a train is quicker and what's clever about getting yourself killed?

"This event is a great way of finding a better way to spend your time, whether it's trying out new sports, or mixing and having a laugh with your mates, too."