The Health and Safety Executive's final report into the Paddington rail crash finds that the driver of the Thames train was confused by the signal lay-out and believed it was safe to proceed.

The railway inspectorate's annual report shows that the number of train collisions has fallen from 121 to 94 in 1999-2000 - the lowest figures on record. Derailments are also at an all-time low, having fallen to 89.

However, the number of fatalities on the rail network has risen to 65, the highest figure for nine years.