CHILDREN are being warned to stay out of dangerous places in Stourport-on-Severn during the half-term holidays.

Youngsters as young as eight years old have been reported cutting through a fence to get into brickworks in Larford Lane, Astley.

PC Andy Brooks-Davies, of Stourport police, said children believed to be from Walshes estate were risking their lives by going on to the site, which is in an area known as The Snipes.

Teachers at Windmill CE Middle School have been asked to put out a safety message at assembly in advance of the half-term holiday. PC Brooks-Davies said: "We have had reports of children and youths aged eight to 15 regularly going into the brickworks during the evenings.

"We know children have a sense of adventure and like to explore, but playing in derelict buildings is an extremely dangerous thing to do. There are all sorts of hazards which could injure them and we do not want any tragedies.

"If a child was to have an accident, no one would know where they were and it might be very difficult for the emergency services to reach them."

He said children are also being urged to avoid going near rivers, canals and reservoirs during half term, unless they are with an adult.