POLICE launched a campaign yesterday to stop children entering a former boarding school that is in a dangerous state after being damaged by fire.

They appealed to parents to warn boys and girls not to play in St Peter's School, which has been closed for several years at Gainford, near Barnard Castle.

Youngsters have forced their way in through boarded up windows and run around causing damage in the building, which is on the outskirts of the village.

Acting Sergeant Sue Howard, of Barnard Castle Police, said: "We know that a number of children are going into the school and drinking alcohol, as well as playing and doing damage.

"Their parents probably don't know what they are up to, and would be worried if they did know. The place is really dangerous following a fire about five years ago and the removal of some floorboards.

"We are keeping an eye on the property, but hope parents will warn their children to keep out. Our main concern is that if this goes on there could be a serious accident."

The school was run by the Roman Catholic Church for many years as a home for boys with family problems, and then used briefly as a nursing home. Since it closed, there have been several attempts to find a use for the building, but none have come to fruition.

The latest proposal was to convert it into flats, but the scheme was rejected by Teesdale District Council on the grounds that it was outside the village housing boundary.

Councillor Ken Hodgson, a member of Teesdale council and Gainford Parish Council, said: "I fully support the police on this, as anyone going into the old school could be in danger.

"I would like to see some new use being approved for the building, but the problem is that there are about five different owners and they don't seem able to agree on what should be done."