A CALL has been made for improved security measures to stop children playing on a "minefield" former industrial site in York.

Councillors inspected the former Tenneco site, off Manor Lane, Rawcliffe, after a resident reported children aged between six and 14 had broken into the site, and were throwing stones from a mound of earth into her garden.

But only hours after the visit, youths again entered the site and vandalised the security fence - despite the presence of a security guard.

Coun Richard Shrimpton said his visit alerted him to the "horrendous" dangers of the site, when he saw chunks of metal and concrete and deep holes containing water.

He said: "The site is an absolute minefield here, it's horrendous. It's essential that we keep children out of that site. Those holes go so far down, they've got to be at least 20 ft deep and they're full of water from the heavy rains we've been having.

"Children don't realise that, like any other building site, it's a dangerous place for them to be playing in. We know there are toxins in the ground and we need to stop them getting in there. We will be asking for improved security."

Residents recently opposed plans by developers Barratt York and Persimmon Homes to build 277 homes on the site.

But the application was given the go-ahead in April.

Coun Shrimpton said: "If a young child was running over what they believe to be a grassy area, they could potentially be going across uneven ground, and if one of those holes was even half full with water, they wouldn't have much chance of getting out."

Mike Southcombe, acting environmental protection manger for City of York Council, said the holes could be a way the developers were excavating the site.

He said: "As Tenneco is a former industrial site, there are a number of chemicals buried in the ground, and the developers have to clean up the site.

"I understand there are a number of holes on the site to excavate the chemicals. Like any other building site, it's a dangerous place."

A Barratt spokesman said: "There was an incident when a group of youths broke into the site and damaged the existing security fence. This has now been rectified and we would urge parents to warn children to keep away from building sites."

Updated: 10:32 Monday, June 16, 2003