YOUNG people from across York are still putting their safety at risk by playing on the city's Millennium Bridge.

Since the bridge opened, the Evening Press has received a number of calls from concerned residents about youths congregating near the bridge, drinking and using bad language.

When our photographer visited yesterday to take an unrelated picture, he spotted younger children playing on the bridge's supports - only feet from the River Ouse.

It follows a report to police that children were jumping off the bridge at dusk on Saturday.

Now, a leading York firefighter and city councillor has urged young people to remember the safety of themselves and others by playing elsewhere.

Mick Brighton, who works in North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue's Fire Safety Department, said people jumping off bridges is a regular occurrence in York during the summer.

He said: "It is dangerous for a number of reasons. The rivers aren't clean enough to swim in, but even if people aren't actually jumping off they are still putting themselves at risk.

"Rowntree Park is just next door to the bridge. My message to the young people is use the facilities there rather than endangering life by playing on, or jumping off, the bridge."

Councillor Roger Farrington - whose Fishergate ward includes the bridge - said the issue will be brought up at a ward committee meeting tomorrow.

He said: "We want young people to use the bridge for its proper purpose by cycling or walking across it, but obviously we don't want anyone's safety to be endangered. The issue will be debated on Thursday."

A spokesman for City of York Council, responsible for maintaining the bridge, said the bridge is constantly monitored by CCTV.

"The camera was installed so the police can observe the bridge and is continuously recording, meaning incidents such as vandalism can be dealt with retrospectively.

"We are investigating the installation of a second camera."

Shortly after the bridge was opened, York Police confirmed it was being included into routine patrols.

A police spokesman said: "We would urge all young people to remember the dangers that water can present and the risks they are taking if they play on the bridge."

Updated: 16:30 Wednesday, July 25, 2001