The move, by operator Nexus, follows a rise in station accidents from 110 in 2007 to 180 in 2008.

These include slips, trips, falls and passengers getting their fingers caught in the closing doors of trains.

Graphic posters will be displayed at Metro stations to highlight the injuries passengers can sustain if they slip or fall over running for a train or while they are on an escalator.

The Stay Safe on the Metro campaign will see the new posters displayed throughout the system.

Common sense safety tips on how to avoid minor accidents will also be available to passengers on a free leaflet and online at www.nexus.org.uk/metrosafe.

One of the posters shows the sort of leg injury that can be sustained by falling over on an escalator or in a fall from a train.

Metro director Mick Carbro said: "The posters might shock some people, but we believe this is necessary to convince them of the need to take care when they are using the Metro.

"Passengers who are in a hurry are most likely to have an accident, especially if it's wet.

"We are confident this campaign will get across some very basic, but very important safety messages to our customers."

Recently Nexus banned mobility scooters from the network, after a series of accidents on trains and platforms.