SKATEBOARDERS have been warned to steer clear of a potentially dangerous building that has proved a magnet for teenagers taking up the re-born craze.

Police are concerned that youngsters converging on the former Northern Electric premises, overlooking the River Wear in Durham, to indulge in the pastime, may be risking serious injury.

The site, in Framwelgate Waterside, has remained vacant and boarded-up in recent months, although it has been earmarked for development by a hotel chain.

Word has spread among the skateboarding fraternity, and many have used the site, nicknamed 'the warehouse,' as a makeshift skate park.

Dozens of youths have been seen at the site at times and police fear it is 'almost inevitable' that someone will be seriously injured.

Sgt Kelvin Vincent said: "There are bits of wall and ceiling coming down everywhere and there is glass all over the place.

"Last weekend, when I went, there must have been at least 30 youngsters inside.

"The problem is a long-standing one, but more recently the building has started to attract an increasing number of young people as word gets around. We fear someone could get seriously hurt and we are urging parents to educate their children not to play in such a dangerous place."

Sgt Vincent added: "We don't like spoiling anyone's enjoyment and we know facilities in the area are limited for activities like skateboarding. However, using this derelict site is not the answer."

Police believe youngsters aged ten and upwards, learning of the 'warehouse' by word-of-mouth from other skateboarders, are heading into Durham from surrounding villages.

Owners of the building put up hoardings and shutters in a bid to prevent access being gained, but these have simply been dismantled by skateboarders, and some bikers, determined to get inside.

Police are now advising the owners what additional security measures can be taken.

Newcastle-based Closegate Hotel Developments was granted planning approval as far back as autumn of 2000 for the proposed hotel. It will eventually house a £30m four-star hotel.