CHILDREN are being warned about the dangers of a game that has already proved costly to tenants amid fears that it could cause serious injury.

Police have been informed of a spate of incidents where youngsters have forced sections of waste pipe into the ground filling them with earth and grit. Once they are levered out the pipes are swung at high speed aiming a shower of soil and sods of earth at houses, vehicles and even people.

Houses on Currans Road in Longford have been pelted with the sods of earth and residents are now left with the task of cleaning or painting their homes.

Ward councillor Mike Hannon contacted the police after witnessing the dangerous game first hand on St Stephen's Avenue field and Winwick Road's Poole Park field.

Clr Hannon said: "I'm trying to raise attention to the danger of this game because someone is going to get hurt, apart from the fact that it makes such a mess. These can be very dangerous missiles because the sods of earth shoot out of the pipe at a great speed and are hurled at cars and houses but if they hit someone in the face it could blind them.

"We need to highlight the danger of these weapons, especially to cyclists and traffic in the area and ask the youngsters involved to realise how dangerous it can be."

Headteachers of schools in the area have been informed of the problem and are speaking to their pupils, highlighting the dangers involved.

Anyone with information regarding the incidents should call Warrington Police on 652222.