CHILDREN are dicing with death at a Radcliffe factory.

Teenagers who trespass on the York Street site of Unifi Dyed Yarns play in the dangerous chemical storage area, steal fire extinguishers and even climb into a compactor unit!

Bosses are so concerned that they have held meetings with the police and posted hundreds of warning leaflets to parents in the area.

"These youths get in by forcing the steel security slats. It's been going on for six months now and we've had to install infra red CCTV cameras," explained manager Chris Sheelan.

Apart from costing the company around £4,000 so far and jeopardising worker's lives by breaking into the canteen and stealing fire extinguishers, Mr Sheelan is also concerned for the safety of the intruders themselves.

"They actually climb in to the compactor and set the yarn on fire. They have broken the isolator switch twice and they know how to turn on the machine. If one of them got caught in there they would have no chance, they would be crushed to death!"

Although Mr Sheelan said the company has taken all the necessary security measures it can, the youths are still entering the premises.

"In the letter we've informed local residents that if any person is caught tampering with, or trespassing on, Unifi's property, a prosecution will be sought," he said.