The dangers posed to rail passengers and staff from increasing vandalism has been highlighted by a rail watchdog.

The Rail Users' Consultative Committee report expressed concern at the number of missiles being thrown at passenger trains.

It also criticised courts for over-lenient sentencing when culprits were caught.

Stations in Wales were "drab, draughty and neglected" added the report and called for a radical improvement of Railtrack's station regeneration programme.

Cardiff Central Station was singled out as being " most unsatisfactory".

The report also contained detailed criticisms of the performances of the train operating companies in Wales.

The watchdog is unhappy with three price increases in brought in by First Great Western between May 1998 and January 1999.

The increases take the standard return from Swansea to Paddington to £103.

The report said the increases meant some firms would no longer send staff to London or Reading by rail on peak-hour rail services because of the cost.

Clive Williams, RUCC Secretary for Wales, said: "I'm afraid this is a damning report in many respects.

"The number of complaints we have received from the public almost doubled over the previous year.

"However, at least we can report that the majority of representations were dealt with satisfactorily by our staff in liaison directly with train operating companies so that recourse to the full committee was not necessary," he added.

He said he thought there was light at the end of the tunnel for passengers.

"I think that increasingly the train operating companies are seeing we mean business and that we are determined to do all in our power to secure a better deal for the long-suffering travelling public," said Mr Williams.