Top Gear has shown footage of a car hitting a train - despite Friday's crash in Cumbria.

Network Rail created the footage before the incident, which killed one person and seriously injured many others, as part of a £3 million campaign to promote safety at level crossings.

In the light of the accident the BBC considered dropping the piece from Top Gear.

However, speaking before Sunday night's show, a spokeswoman said: "We are going ahead as planned with tonight's programme which includes an item on the dangers at level crossings.

"There will be an announcement before the programme to alert viewers that there is an item about railway safety."

A train safety group questioned whether airing the footage was right. Carol Bell, vice-chair of the Safe Trains Action Group commented: "I'm not sure it's a good idea... There's a poor woman who's lost her life, and her family is still injured. I just think it's a bit insensitive at the moment."