By Kelly Eve and Chris Story

Last updated at 16:15, Monday, 05 January 2009

CHILDREN are dicing with death by playing on Cumbria’s frozen lakes.

Fog and frost on the river Annan. Photo: Christine Stretch

Police have issued a stark safety warning after youngsters were spotted on ice that had formed more than 50 yards from the edge of a Cumbrian lake.

Officers have appealed for people not to go out on to ice that has formed on the county’s lakes, tarns and waterways during what has reportedly been Britain’s coldest start to winter in 30 years and chilliest New Year since 2003.

Police say it puts lives at risk at a time when the ice can only be best described as ‘unstable’.

The warning comes after two small children were seen far out from the edge of Derwentwater, near Keswick, on Saturday.

Police were called to Kettlewell car park on the Borrowdale road shortly after 2pm.

They were horrified to discover children were taking out large boulders with them to smash the ice directly under their feet, watched or being accompanied by parents that were allowing them to do it.

And there are fears that youngsters, who are still on their school holidays, could be tempted to play on the ice.

Sergeant Gary Armstrong said: “This is a very dangerous situation and people are putting their lives and possibly the lives of others in real danger.

“There is no real pattern or uniformity to the formation of the ice and it can be thin in places.

“It may appear suitable to walk on but you can’t really see or gauge how thick the ice is.

“If someone falls through the ice the consequences could be fatal.

“Temperatures are not expected to rise much over the next four or five days and so we expect ice to remain unstable. Our message is don’t go out onto the ice.”

Subzero temperatures hit Cumbria again last night with ice affecting a number of roads this morning. Snow was reported on higher ground, affecting places including Alston.

Temperatures earlier today remained at minus-one in Carlisle and zero in Whitehaven.

Cold conditions are expected to continue for the rest of the day – reaching highs of only three degrees – with a widespread frost predicted tonight with temperatures down to minus-three in Penrith.

Freezing fog could also form in some valleys.

Tomorrow, it will be dry and sunny, but it will remain very cold throughout the day with temperatures barely rising above freezing in most places.

First published at 11:25, Monday, 05 January 2009
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk