DAREDEVIL youngsters tempted to play on ice during this winter's big freeze are being warned not to dice with death.

The warning comes from firefighters and the police after children were seeing skating on ice in Stourport-on-Severn and a dog had to be rescued when thin ice broke on a lake at County Hall, Worcester.

Five youngsters put themselves at risk when they skated on the canal basin in Engine Lane, Stourport, police said.

British Waterways alerted police when they spotted the youngsters on the ice at 3.30pm on Wednesday, but they ran away when the officers arrived.

"We're concerned that these children don't realise how very treacherous ice on canals and rivers can be," said police spokeswoman Caroline Schubert.

"There's a great risk of falling through the ice into freezing cold water, which can quickly result in drowning.

"Parents should be aware of where their children are playing and give them strong advice about the dangers."

The following day, at 4.30pm, firefighters from Worcester's Blue Watch were called to the top lake at the back of County Hall after a spaniel plunged through thin ice in the middle of the lake.

Firefighter Miles Wheeler donned a dry suit and broke the ice on the side of the lake with an axe.

He then slid a ladder out to the stranded spaniel and pulled out it out by putting a bill hook around its neck.

"The dog was swimming around, not very happy and very cold," said fire brigade spokesman Alec Mackie.

"The ice is now frozen over on those two lakes and you can bet your bottom dollar children will be dicing with death playing on the ice. You never know how thick the ice is, and if it is thin, it's not detectable".