POLICE have warned residents to keep away from a development site.

The former Eppleton Colliery site at Hetton-le-Hole, Wearside, which had been used for recreation, is being developed and millions of tonnes of material are being removed.

The site is surrounded by a 6ftfence. There are also patrols by a security firm.

However, over the past few weeks people have forced their way on to the site and police and site operators are concerned that someone could get hurt.

The work will last for up to five years. Operators will excavate holes more than 100m deep and the areas will change rapidly from week to week.

Police have contacted schools warning them about the dangers, and parents are being asked to discourage children from playing in the area.