Children warned to keep off frozen canal

CHILDREN are risking their lives by playing on the frozen Union Canal.

Youngsters were pictured yesterday having a game of football on the ice, ignoring warnings to stay away.

Locals living next to the canal at Meggetland even reported parents walking their children to school along the ice and seeing sets of cycle tracks.

Police and British Waterways Scotland today warned against playing on the ice.

A police spokesman said: "While it may be tempting at this time of year, playing on the ice can be extremely dangerous. The ice is always likely to be insecure, meaning that people risk plunging into the icy cold water below, causing themselves serious injury."

British Waterways said no-one should walk on the frozen canal under any circumstances.

Phil Martin, waterway manager, said: "Children should always be accompanied by an adult when they visit the canal and be made aware of hazards, and the need to stay safe and stay away from the edge at all times."

He added that towpaths, bridges and lock-sides could be particularly slippery, with snow concealing trip hazards such as mooring rings close to the water's edge.