CHILDREN as young as four are dicing with death by playing in a stretch of river on the outskirts of Darlington.

The youngsters are tying ropes to trees and swinging into the River Skerne at Barmpton, according to Brian Pavey, chairman of Darlington Rural Watch.

He said: "We have had a lot of problems where children as young as four are swimming in the river.

"That river has got deep hole in it. If you get a flash flood you will get all sorts in the river, including things like supermarket trolleys and bikes. Once the river subsides, one of the kids will go in and get their arms entangled in something and they will drown."

Insp Bill Bentham, of Darlington police, said the youngsters' activities had not been logged but he said police did have a record of youths causing a disturbance in the area earlier this year and of five used syringes being found there in April.

He urged parents to make sure children were supervised near water. "Hot weather and cold water do not mix," he said.

A Darlington Borough Council spokesman said no complaints had been made to the authority.