THIEVES who are repeatedly stealing fencing from a busy roadside are being warned that they are putting lives at risk.

Metal mesh fence panels between the A19 sliproad at Seaton and an open space used by young children have been removed three times during the past three years.

The most recent theft, in March 2009, saw 80 metres of fencing stolen from the site, near Haverley Drive.

Durham County Council has replaced the fencing each time it has been taken, but is now urging those responsible to think about the possible consequences of their actions.

Stuart Clasper, environmental co-ordinator said: "Obviously there is a cost to the council of replacing the fence, but it is the associated risk to the children using the land that we are most concerned about.

"They regularly use the area to play ball games and whenever the panels are removed there is nothing to prevent them wandering through the gap or trying to retrieve a stray ball if it was kicked in the direction of the road."

The weld-mesh panels that have been taken by the thieves are lightweight and of very little value as scrap material.

However, they are often used in the construction of animal pens and chicken runs.

Replacing the fencing with something more substantial would prove too costly, and the authority is, therefore, in discussions with Durham Police in an effort to find an alternative solution to the problem.

Anyone who has any information about the thefts is advised to contact the police on 0345-60-60-365.