Police plea over children playing on frozen lakes

Police say they cannot stress strongly enough the dangers of such activity.

"While playing on the frozen surface may seem like a novelty the risks shouldn't be underestimated" they said.

They warned that there is no uniformity in the formation of ice and while it may seem sturdy and able to support weight it can become very thin very quickly.

"The surface can easily crack, give way and individuals can fall through. At the temperatures experienced locally over recent days, the consequences could be fatal" said a spokesperson.

"Frozen rivers and lakes are not playgrounds and children and indeed teenagers should be reminded of this. Police want people to enjoy the wintry weather without putting themselves and others at risk."

They say that if you see someone, or a pet, fall through the ice and get into difficulty never try and rescue them yourself instead ring 999 immediately.