CHILDREN have been warned about the dangers of climbing on school roofs after a 14-year-old pupil was left fighting for his life after falling 50ft from a disused building.

Kieron Simpson, 14, of Sycamore Avenue, Burnley is believed to have been playing with friends when he fell from the roof of the old Ivy Bank Business and Enterprise College, off Kiddrow Lane, at 9.45pm on Saturday.

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The Shuttleworth College student was taken by ambulance to Manchester Children’s Hospital where he remains in a critical condition in intensive care, police said.

And community leaders have warned children about the dangers of climbing on roofs across East Lancashire.

In a join statement Burnley councillors Neil Mottershead, Charlie Briggs, Mark Payne urged parents to make their children aware of the dangers.

They said: “We are asking as local councillors for parents to talk with their children on the dangers of playing in these old buildings.

“We are working with Lancashire County Council and police to make things safer on the school sites.

“We do not want to see any more children injured.

“So please help us get this messaged out, to keep our children safe.”

County Councillor Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This seems to have been a tragic accident and my thoughts are with Kieron and his family at this difficult time.

“I’d like to ask parents to take this opportunity to talk to their children and impress upon them that climbing and playing on roofs and in empty buildings can be extremely dangerous.

“When we’re young we feel that we’re invincible but accidents like these show that is sadly not the case.”

There have also been issues at Norden High School in Rishton, with residents reporting sightings of children on the roof to police.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, county councillor for Rishton and Clayton-le-Moors and Hyndburn Council leader, said: “It’s a lot about common sense.

“Life is so precious and you put so much at risk when you go on top of roofs messing around or as a prank.

“I would ask parents to keep an eye on their children and ensure they stay safe.”

Last month Avondale Primary School in Darwen reported issues of children climbing on its roof, causing hundreds of pounds of damage.

Speaking at the time of the incidents Cllr Pete Hollings, representative for Sunnyhurst ward on town and borough councils, said: “I would suggest that what has taken place has been done by youngsters much older than the primary school children but I think that parents do need to keep their eyes open.”