THREE youths fired a shot at an express train as it sped through Hampshire.

The teenage gunmen targeted a Bournemouth-to-Waterloo train in a potentially dangerous attack that has been condemned by rail unions and safety organisations.

Officials say the risk to passengers and the driver was great. The incident is now being investigated by Network Rail and the British Transport Police.

It happened as the high-speed train travelled through a remote part of the New Forest between Brockenhurst and Beaulieu Road stations.

The train was approaching a bridge in an isolated area called Woodfidley, which is part of the Denny Lodge Inclosure, when the teenagers opened fire on it.

A South West Trains spokesman said: "The crew reported youths firing at the train. However, there are no reports of any damage or injuries."

A British Transport Police spokesman said that between one and three teenagers were involved in the incident.

He added: "The driver of the train has yet to be interviewed, but he reported seeing someone with what appeared to be an air rifle.

"There was no damage to the train and no injuries to any of the passengers or crew."

The attack took place as the 5.05pm Bournemouth-to-London Waterloo train sped through the New Forest at 5.55pm.

A Rail Standards and Safety Board spokesman said: "It was a very dangerous thing to do.

"The potential was there for windows to be smashed and the driver or passengers to be injured."

Officials at train drivers' union ASLEF expressed similar views.

A spokesman said: "This sort of thing can be deeply distressing and upsetting for drivers and passengers, and causes considerable levels of anxiety."

The incident comes amid increasing concern about the use of air weapons, following the fatal shooting of Glasgow toddler Andrew Morton.

Top politicians say that air rifles and pistols could be banned in Scotland in the wake of the tragedy.