A TEN-year-old girl is seriously ill in hospital after plunging six metres to the ground through a plastic skylight.

The incident happened after the girl, along with two other ten-year-olds, climbed on to the roof of Caldicotes School, at Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough, on Wednesday night. She fell to the floor when the skylight shattered, injuring her head and leg.

The girl was taken to Middlesbrough General Hospital. She is detained in intensive care, but her injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Acting Detective Inspector Chris Garner, of Middlesbrough CID, said the incident should act as a warning to other youngsters and their parents.

She said: "Empty school buildings during the holidays can prove a magnet to children, but what can start as an adventure can end in tragedy.

"There are grave dangers involved in climbing on to school roofs and parents should tell their children to keep well clear."

Police and the Health and Safety Inspectorate are investigating the incident.