RESIDENTS fear for their children's safety because drivers are using their back lane as a rat run.

People in Bow Street, Slater Place and The Leases, in Bowburn, are calling for action before a child is seriously injured or killed.

They say motorists drive fast up the lane to avoid getting stuck at traffic lights on nearby Durham Road.

More than 100 people, nearly everyone in the area, have signed a petition that is being looked at by officials at Durham County Council, the highways authority.

Carol Scott, who has three children, said: "It's a problem that has been going on for some time but now we have decided that enough is enough.

"There are a lot of children in this area and they play in the back lane where we can keep an eye on them.

"But there are people who don't live here who are using the back street, often driving at speed.

"It has got to the point where some of the children are frightened to go out to play because of the traffic.''

Janice Cairns, who has two children, said the problem was particularly bad when people called at a nearby shop to play the National Lottery.

"We are worried about what could happen. Some time ago a girl on a bike came out of the alley and was knocked over by a car.''

The residents say that ideally the lane would be residents-only but they have been told by officials that it could not be enforced.

The residents want signs put up to warn drivers that there are children playing in the lane.

Another worried resident, Beverley Rogers, said: "The kids should be safe playing in the lane.''

Officials at County Hall are now looking at the problem and looking at possibilities including making the lane one-way.

A county council spokesman said: "We are aware of the problem and we are looking at various options that we might be able to implement to solve it. We should be able to come up with proposals within a month that we'll take to the residents for their opinion.

"We are looking into it carefully.'