EMERGENCY service personnel appealed to parents yesterday to keep tabs on their children during the remainder of the Easter holiday.

Their warning came as a teenage boy fought for his life.

Adam Mayhew, 15, suffered serious head injuries after falling more than 20ft through a skylight on the roof of Northfield School, Billingham.

He was initially admitted to North Tees Hospital, Stockton, but was then transferred by ambulance to a neuro-surgical ward at Middlesbrough General Hospital, where his condition was last night said to be stable.

Firefighters administered oxygen to the youngster who they found lying unconscious on the floor of the school's gymnasium on Friday evening, with blood pouring from an ear.

They placed the youngster on a protective spine board while paramedics putting him on a drip for the trip to hospital.

Adam had been with a group of pals playing on the school roof.

After the accident the youngsters dropped through the skylight to open doors from the inside, allowing fire fighters entry into the building.

Both fire and police officers last night urged parents to keep an eye on their youngsters during the Easter holidays.

Station Officer Ralph Nicholson of Cleveland Fire Brigade, said: "I know the school and it is a fair drop through the roof.

"It is not just flat roofs, but anywhere and anything they get up to while playing. I suspect youngsters don't appreciate the danger they can be in."

He added: "When children are off school for the holidays their parents don't necessarily know where they are all the time. My advice to parents is ask and know where your children are.

"It is all very well turning a blind eye to what they're be up to, but it can be the child who faces serious consequences - and,, ultimately the parents."

Acting Inspector Carol Stevely, of Cleveland Police, said: "Unfortunately, children don't always know the dangers of such locations as schools, disused buildings and building sites. We want children to have a nice but safe holiday.''

* Nathan Stewart, 11, was in a critical condition in Southhampton General Hospital last night, after falling through the roof of a school in New Milton, Hampshire, on Saturday night.