CHILDREN as young as 10 are risking their lives by playing on three dangerous building sites on a Trowbridge estate.

Building site manager Peter Smith and the police are warning parents that a fatal accident could happen if the youngsters continue to climb and jump from scaffolding.

Three house building sites on Studley Green at Manor Road, Lambrok Close and Summerleaze have become hot spots for the activity.

Mr Smith, from Westbury-based property maintenance firm C J Deighton, said: “We use fall arrests which are like giant bean bags and the children are climbing on scaffolding before leaping off into them as if it is some kind of game.

“They don’t realise just how these sites can be extremely dangerous places.

“Our problem is that we are putting up these houses in the middle of an existing estate so there are lots of children around and it is easy for them to go and play here.”

The builders have erected more robust fencing but small children are able to slide underneath and as many as 10 have been seen onsite at any one time.

Police are urging nearby residents to report any such incidents, and Trowbridge sergeant Malcolm Mclundie said: “These children are risking their lives. Many of them do not realise just how dangerous these sites can be and they are going in there for a bit of fun but are risking a potentially serious accident.

“We’ve had reports over the past few weeks now of groups of boys aged between 10 and 13 getting on to the scaffolding. The bottom line is stay out and stay safe.”

Four children were also spotted scaling the roof of the former Margaret Stancomb School in British Row on April 13.

Anyone who sees children entering building sites should contact Wiltshire Police on 101.