A DANGEROUS daredevil "game" played by youngsters on a Darlington estate has led police to voice fears for their safety.

As buses do their rounds in the Branksome area of town, youngsters are grabbing the backs of the vehicles and hanging on for a ride, which police say is much more dangerous than the youngsters imagine.

They have received calls from people worried about the "bus surfing" craze, which has started in the past few days.

Sergeant Jeff Pow, of Darlington police, said last night: "The main thing from our point of view is the danger involved. Somebody is going to get hurt."

As well as potential injuries from falling from the back of the moving buses, there is also the possibility of further danger from any following vehicles.

It is believed the youngsters climb on to the buses when the vehicles either stop to pick up passengers or at road junctions.

Sgt Pow said:"The reports are that there is a bus going past the house with a kid hanging on the back of it. It seems to have become a game."

Calls have been received from people living in Newton Lane and Jedburgh Drive. Bus company Stagecoach has also contacted police to voice its concern over the dangerous new "sport".

The company's divisional traffic manager, Richard Cranmer, said: "They hang on to the engine covers and they basically hang on for dear life and treat it as some sort of game.

"The driver doesn't know anything about it, because he can't see them."

At least one of the reports to police was received at 3.50pm in Newton Lane, suggesting the disturbing trend is being carried out by youngsters on the way home from school.

Sgt Pow also warned that the children would face legal action if they were caught.

"We will take any enforcement action appropriate if we catch anyone doing such a dangerous thing," he said.

Mr Cranmer said the company had not had problems like this on the Branksome estate for two years, and the main area where it had occurred was Firthmoor.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Sgt Pow or PC Clare Neill on (01325) 467681. Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555111.