AN appeal has been issued urging youngsters to steer clear of climbing on the roof of a popular Blackburn community centre.

Youths have already damaged a chimney after illegally scaling the walls at Energy Zone, off Newfield Drive.

But manager Joanne Mason is more concerned about the threat posed to the young people involved, as the building is more than 30 feet high in places.

She has also spoken out in the wake of the incident involving nine-year-old Leon Langford, who suffered serious injuries after plunging through a factory roof in Rockfield Street three weeks ago.

Joanne said: "The children have been getting up onto the roof and so far they have removed the cowling from the heating system and caused some expensive damage to other parts of the roof as well.

"But it's not so much the cost of repairs but the danger that they are placing themselves in.

"The point where we think they might be getting onto the roof is only single-storey.

"Towards the back of the building though, it's at least two-storey and really quite high.

"We want to try and appeal to parents on the estate, so young people can be warned about the dangers of climbing on here.

"We're not as concerned about them falling through the roof, as it's corrugated steel. But there is the danger of someone falling off the side."

The outfit Community and Business Partners CIC has been responsible for the former Roman Road community centre building for approaching a decade now.

And the centre houses a number of community initiatives, including Waste Not Want Not, the subsidised food initiative, Friends 4 Life, for the over-55s and creatives good cause Sams.

Cllr Andy Kay, who represents the Blackburn South East ward and is executive member for resources, said: "Most of the building is low-rise but there are some particularly high places around the back of the building.

"It's always dangerous to climb on the roof of these buildings and I would support what the centre is saying and ask parents to play their part."