A COUNCILLOR has condemned the actions of yobs who strung up barbed wire near a children's play area in Summerseat.

Councillor Dorothy Gunther said: "Whoever did this is simply downright stupid. Do they not have any common sense? This could have seriously injured a child."

The Ramsbottom councillor said it was the second time in as many weeks that a dumped roll of barbed wire had been placed between fencing under the arches in an area known as "the island" in Summerseat.

"My husband removed the barbed wire the first time. Then it was put up again on Good Friday, and was removed by nearby residents," said Coun Gunther.

"Whoever put up the barbed wire must have worn protective gloves. The wire is not easy to see and a child could so easily have run in to it and injured themselves seriously."