A WATERFOOT trader is concerned that youngsters who do not use the designated road crossings are risking their lives and warned: "Somebody will be killed."

Steve Taylor of Steve's Greengrocers, Bacup Road, Waterfoot, is calling on school pupils to use the crossing after it was installed just two months ago.

He said pupils from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar were dicing with death as they regularly make a run for it across the busy main road.

He said: "I cringe every time I see them attempting to cross the road. It is infuriating because there is a crossing just a couple of metres away and they are risking life and limb just because they can't be bothered to use the crossing."

The Pegasus crossing was installed as part of the Pennine Bridleway, funded by Lancashire County Council, two months ago to help people on horseback and pedestrians cross the road safely.

A council spokesman said: "We know that this facility is being used but cannot control who uses it. It was implemented to help both people riding horses and pedestrians cross the road safely and we would hope most people are using it."

Steve added: "The other day I was watching these two boys and one of them said, 'Just walk out the cars will have to stop for us.' The car did stop but this is not the right attitude to for them to have. I have written to the headteacher but haven't yet received a reply."

Martin Morris, Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar school's headteacher, said: "I have mentioned this in school assemblies that pupils ought to use the crossing.

"Waterfoot has two crossings that they can use and they should be doing this. I will reiterate the point to pupils because they should be ensuring they are practising road safety."