Ten people have also been caught with guns or knives at the county's railway stations over the past five years – most of whom escaped with cautions.

Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans has called for tougher sentences for yobs caught with weapons.

He said: "Most people would say if caught in a public place with a gun, it should be an automatic custodial sentence.

"The same goes for anybody carrying a knife. The mood has changed completely now and I hope that will be reflected in sentencing.

"Guidelines should be stiffened to reflect the anxiety that the public feel."

The number of people attacked at railway stations in Lancashire rose from 16 in 2006/7 to 25 in 2007/8.

British Transport Police figures, obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show there were 19 attacks at Preston station in the last five years, just fewer than Blackpool North which had 22.

The youngest offender was a 13-year-old who was cautioned in Blackpool for an assault last year.

Five yobs have been caught with knives at Preston station in the last five years, including two 17-year-olds.

And five people have also been detected with guns at Lancashire stations in the past five years, including a 22-year-old in Preston.

All five escaped with cautions.

A spokesman for British Transport Police said crime figures needed to be viewed in context.

He said: "Busy stations will inevitably generate more reported crime than those that are less busy.

"Hundreds of millions of passenger journeys are made safely each year."