STONE-throwing youngsters who target cars passing under road bridges are dicing with death, a senior police officer has warned.

In the past few days, drivers in the Bishop Auckland area have reported stones being thrown at their cars in South Church, and in Bob Hardisty Drive, near the town centre.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Green said both motorists and pedestrians were at risk, and urged parents to make sure their children were not involved.

He said: "We are going to have a fatality soon if this does not stop. It could be a car swerving on to the pavement or a stone dropping through a windscreen, but there is sure to be an accident.

"We are taking this very seriously and when we find who is doing this they could find themselves in court."

Last month a motorist had a narrow escape when his windscreen was struck by a stone hurled from a railway bridge over Bonemill Bank, in South Church.

Anyone with information should telephone police on (01388) 603566