CHILDREN who are using a sewage works site as an unofficial playground have been warned that they are risking their lives.

Water company officials sent out the message to youngsters, who have recently been spotted playing on the dangerous site at Masham, near Ripon.

Children were discovered playing on a dumper truck and trying to start up a large piece of equipment at the end of Millgate, where Yorkshire Water is working on a £1.7m refurbishment scheme.

Debbie Judge, project manager for Yorkshire Water, said the trespassing had taken place despite the company's determined efforts to secure the site.

"We are extremely concerned about the safety of the children who have been trespassing on the construction site.

"All construction sites are dangerous for unauthorised people. They are working sites, not playgrounds," she said.

The youngsters are said to be playing on the area even though they have already been given warnings.

Ms Judge said: "We have already visited the local primary school to give a presentation and talk on safety.

"However, I would ask all parents and guardians in the area to ensure their children are aware the sewage works site is a dangerous place and make sure they don't enter the site area."

The work in Masham is part of Yorkshire Water's £400m River Care scheme to improve the environment across the region for the next five years.

Contractors working irregular hours on the Millgate site say they are doing everything they can to keep the site secure.

It is protected by gates and barriers, and is also connected to a security alarm monitored by Yorkshire Water's main office in Bradford.

Maeve Hird. headteacher at Masham Primary School, said: "I'm sure the things that are going on there do not involve our primary school children.

"They have had endless warnings about this and we are liaising very well with Yorkshire Water about the health and safety aspects, but we will speak to the children again on Monday morning in any case."

A police spokesman echoed Yorkshire Water's sentiments and warned that youngsters should stay away