REPAIR teams were in action at Gisborough priory this week as a spate of vandalism sparked fears of a lethal threat to children.

Police warned parents to keep youngsters away from the historic site after vandals loosened large stones in a boundary wall.

Massive spikes top the stones and it was feared youngsters climbing the wall could bring these down - with possibly fatal consequences.

After an emergency meeting between English Heritage, police, Redcar and Cleveland council and landowner Lord Gisborough, estate workmen began securing the wall.

But Guisborough community constable PC John Mackay warned: "Any repeat of this damage could have dire results."

And a long-term security strategy is being worked out to protect what has been described as "one of the most highly prized examples of Gothic architecture in the whole of England."

Extensive damage has been caused to the ancient priory - an English Heritage site - in the past few days.

It is thought youngsters have been digging away at the eastern boundary wall and smashing stones with iron bars.

This has caused stones to come loose, weakening the wall. Overall repair work could run into thousands of pounds.

Police warned parents not to let children play near the priory. There are large metal spikes sticking out of the walls to prevent them from being climbed. If supporting stones give way, children could impale themselves.

Mrs Doreen Myers, chairman of Guisborough Town Pride which is spearheading the ambitious Priory Project to boost the site as a visitor attraction, said the damage was 'sickening.'

"The gangs are using old metal railings from the churchyard to dig out the stones," she said. "It is just destruction, it's all they think about these days."

Redcar and Cleveland council handle day-to-day maintenance on behalf of English Heritage.

The authority's cultural development officer Mr Malcolm Armstrong said the damage involves an area of around 30sq ft and 30 to 50 stones, some weighing up to 40lbs.

"It is just wanton vandalism," he said after Tuesday's site meeting.

"We are appalled and disgusted at what has happened."

PC Mackay said police would be stepping up patrols in the priory area and considering installing CCTV to try to protect the site from further damage.

"We had to act quickly because of the risks children might be taking," he said.

"They have been getting hold of spikes on the top stones and pulling them, loosening the brickwork underneath. In doing so they could have pulled huge stones and spikes down on to themselves.

"That could have been fatal."

Lord Gisborough acted quickly in sending a team down to replace the brickwork. He now plans to re-point the wall so it will be hard to loosen any more blocks.

In the meantime, workers have returned all the stones to the wall.

People have seen a large group of 12 to 16-year-olds around the Priory and police are seeking information to identify those responsible. Anyone with any information should contact 01642 302018.

English Heritage works superintendent Mr Ray Stockdale said when the work by Lord Gisborough's team is complete, the whole wall should be stable and vandals should not be able to pull stones out.