A FARMER has blamed rail bosses for the derailment of a passenger train - and the death of eight bullocks.

David Thompson claims he has been warning Network Rail of the potential disaster for more than 10 years.

The accident comes as the National Farmers' Union is preparing to meet Network Rail about neglected fences and livestock straying onto lines throughout Yorkshire.

The organic beef cattle - valued at £700 - were killed when they were hit by a passenger train on the Airedale line, near Steeton, at about 3pm last Thursday.

The impact knocked the first of the three carriages off the line, but it remained upright.

No passengers or staff were injured on the Northern train which was bound for Skipton, but two other bullocks were lamed.

Passengers were transferred to another train.

Mr Thompson, of Hawkers Farm, said: "I'm very frustrated. I have been pursuing this with the railway since 1993.

"The wall is always falling down due to the heavy train traffic and stock does get on the track. It has been replaced by a fence which is not good enough. It is a disgrace."

Laurie Norris, NFU environment adviser, said: "We are meeting Network Rail at the end of July to discuss this issue of the upkeep of fences. We are very aware of the problems and are trying to be proactive.

"Farmers are very proud of their animals because it takes so much effort to get them into condition and to lose them like this is very frustrating."

A spokeswoman for Network Rail said the company was responsible both for the wall and the fence.

"We are putting in a proposal to renew the boundary wall. It will be subject to a risk ranking which takes into account the frequency of trains and the speed," she said.

It would then be prioritised and the work completed as soon as possible.

Trains were back in service between Leeds and Skipton at about 8.45pm on Thursday.