CHILDREN taking short-cuts across a busy motorway are dicing with death, a worried Hyndburn councillor has claimed.

Coun Bill Goldsmith believes it is only a matter of time before a youngster is killed on the M65 near Knuzden and he is now urging parents to warn their children about the dangers of the motorway.

The problem came to light when Coun Goldsmith and his wife Coun Sheelagh Delaney were crossing the Haslingden Road motorway bridge.

They spotted seven boys - aged between seven and 17 - dodging cars when running across an unlit stretch on the newly-opened motorway extension.

The couple confronted the boys, but were met with a barrage of aggression and 'macho' attitudes.

Coun Goldsmith said: "The cars were travelling 70 and 80mph and two of the boys were nearly killed. "We told them, if they died, their mothers would be heartbroken and the drivers would have to live with it for the rest of their lives.

"The boys just came out with macho comments and said they used the motorway as a short-cut when they played in nearby woods.

"They said they would rather cross the motorway than walk half a mile to the bridge."

Education about the dangers of the motorways is the only way to prevent youngsters risking their lives, according to the councillor.

Motorway contractors have already installed a 6ft wall to prevent people getting on the road, but the youngsters still managed to scale it.

Coun Goldsmith added: "I just want to warn parents before it is too late. They need to tell their children that motorways are dangerous and they should never attempt to cross them."

The police have been informed and are due to make checks on the motorway.

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