Arrests over "Harry Potter train" attack

LONDON (Reuters) - Ten youths have been arrested after Harry Potter's train, the Hogwarts Express, was attacked by vandals, police said on Thursday.

More than 300 of the tourist train's windows -- famous for departing from imaginary platform 9 3/4 at King's Cross station in the Harry Potter books -- were smashed with hammers while it was in a depot in Lancashire.

The damage will cost at least 50,000 pounds to repair, according to train operator West Coast Railways (WCR).

A spokeswoman said hammers were used to break the toughened glass and several were found at the scene.

Police said the youngsters were between 12 and 14 years old.

"Ten youths have been arrested after 337 windows were smashed on various trains at the West Coast Railway Company Depot in Carnforth, Lancashire," a spokesman for British Transport Police said.

The youngsters were released on police bail pending further inquiries and will have to report back to police in the first week of May.

Forensic experts spent several days at the depot after the train was attacked on March 10.

The train, which is hired out to film company Warner Bros for use in the Harry Potter films, has been vandalised before. In September 2003 graffiti was sprayed on a carriage, resulting in 3,000 pounds worth of damage.