SECURITY at major rail stations including Oxford and Didcot Parkway is being reviewed in preparation for potential terrorist attacks.

Assessments of the risk at both stations, which are among the nation's 250 busiest rail terminals are included in a review announced this afternoon by the Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

He warned that users of major rail stations, shopping centres and football stadiums faced tougher restrictions on movement.

The move follows June's attempts to attack a crowded London street and an airport terminal in Glasgow.

Mr Brown said: "Just as the terrorists use every method and the very freedoms we enjoy to kill and maim people, so we must also adopt new tools to beat the terrorists."

A review by Security Minister Lord West has identified a need for extra protection against car bomb attacks in key transport interchanges and other crowded places.

It proposes the installation of heavy-duty barriers, vehicle exclusion zones and making buildings blast resistant.

Passengers in some large rail stations are likely to face searches and extra baggage screening.

New guidance will be sent to thousands of cinemas, theatres, restaurants, hotels, sporting venues and commercial centres, and all hospitals, schools and places of worship.

Mr Brown, speaking in the Commons, said rooting out terrorism and strengthening the resilience of communities to resist extremist influence would require "not just military and security resources but more policing and intelligence, and an enhanced effort to win hearts and minds".