Stay away from motorways

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary's Motorway Unit say they are becoming increasingly worried about the number of children playing near the busy roads.

In Lancashire last year there were nearly 500 cases of youngsters playing on or near motorways, according to motorway patrols.

These included children playing on bridges or carriageways, objects being thrown into the carriageways, children riding bicycles on the motorway or hard shoulder, and walking dogs on the hard shoulder and carriageways.

Inspector Peter Stas of Lancashire Constabulary said that the majority of the 32,500 incidents that the Motorway Unit deals with each year across the county were breakdowns and collisions, but that incidents involving young people were increasing.

He said: "We would advise parents that they should always ensure that they know where their children are playing. Children should be warned about playing anywhere near the motorway, let alone on the carriageways or on overhead bridges.

"This type of incident not only causes a danger to the children themselves but also to the drivers on the motorways and the emergency services."

And he warned that throwing objects on to the motorway and other such activities are criminal offences, punishable by a maximum term of life imprisonment.