The horrors of Newcastle's Metro system have been revealed to readers of the Chronicle by three reporters it sent out onto the troubled system.

One of them managed to travel for three days without having his ticket checked - highlighting the lack of staff on trains and at stations.

The reporters witnessed vandalism, smoking bans being flouted and widespread fare-dodging.

The probe revealed frightened passengers, violence, delays, complaints and breakdowns.

The Chronicle claims these factors have become a way of life for the troubled urban rail transport system.

The investigation came after a series of incidents on the line.

The paper has reported passengers being stranded in tunnels and having to get out along the tracks; brick attacks on trains and threats of strikes.

It has highlighted broken ticket machines, lifts that don't work and drivers who override emergency braking systems.

Another incident saw a teenager being pulled from the tracks unconscious.

The operating company, Nexus, has declined to comment.

Now the Chronicle is highlighting passengers' personal stories of horror on the Metro, with no shortage of readers calling in to report intimidation and violence.

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