Keep off the ice (From Leigh Journal)

Keep off the ice

3:45pm Tuesday 22nd December 2009 in

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YOUNGSTERS in the Leigh area are being warned to stay off frozen ponds.

Parks officers are concerned this week’s severe winter weather will see young people risking their lives trying to skate.

Dog walkers are also being encouraged to keep their animals on their leads around frozen water courses to avoid them getting into difficulty.

Sharon Saunders, Parks and Countryside Manager for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said: “Playing on ice is extremely dangerous and could have deadly consequences.

“We’d encourage all parents to warn their children about the dangers of skating on frozen ponds and ask dog walkers to keep their animals on a lead when near frozen water.”

Parks officers are gritting the main entrance points in the borough’s main parks but are warning people to be extra cautious when out and about.

Services at Haigh Hall and Country Park were temporarily closed due to dangerous road conditions.

A spokesman for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust said: “At this stage all leisure and culture services, apart from Haigh Hall, are operating. However, that may change depending on the weather and we would recommend people call our sites before setting out on their journey.”