PARENTS are being urged to keep a close eye on their children during the summer following concerns that youngsters could be seriously injured or killed at a former factory site.

The area, which is part of the former Hill's factory in Norton Road, Stockton, has become a dumping ground for hazardous waste, with gas bottles, tyres and fridge being left there.

The site and its partially demolished buildings has attracted children, from the nearby Norton Grange estate, who use it as a play area, climb over the buildings and light fires using the tyres and timber.

John Davies, chairman of the Norton Grange Community Forum, said children, including some as young as five, gather at the site every day and he asked parents to make sure they know what their children are up to.

He said: "I would urge parents to be aware of this site. With gas canisters and fridges lying around, the site could prove fatal if there is a fire.

"It may only be a matter of time before a child is seriously injured or killed. There are always small fires and I don't think the children realise how dangerous it actually is.

"With the long, light summer nights it is even more worrying as more children explore the site."

The area is fenced off from Norton Road, but from the Norton Grange end access is open, and people living in the area have seen children making their way on to the site.

Mr Davies said: "Something has got to be done, the situation is really quite bad. I would just urge all the youngsters to stay away."

Since the beginning of the year, firefighters have been called to about 20 fires there.

A Stockton Borough Council spokeswoman said: "We are working with the fire brigade to try and remove any fuel from this site to deter any arsonists.

"We have spent £15,000 in the past 18 months cleaning up the area and have put up bollards to try and stop fly-tippers, but they move them.

"We are considering using CCTV cameras."