A warning has gone out after “repeated” reports of primary school age children climbing signal gantries on the motorway.

Police reported on Saturday that they had received several calls about children who appear to be aged between six and ten climbing gantries on the M62 between junctions 11 and 12.

They have warned parents that this could be extremely dangerous.

A North West Motorway Police spokesperson said: “We have had repeated calls about children climbing up on the signal gantries on M62 between J12 and 11 Westbound near to Irlam.

“They are only aged approximately between six and ten years.

“I can't express enough how dangerous this is.

“Parents, please remind your children of the dangers of the motorway.”

This comes amid long running concerns about safety on the motorways and elsewhere across the roads in Greater Manchester and the North West region.

As well as concerns about children’s safety, officers have also responded to concerns about speeding, dangerous driving and other kinds of crime or anti-social behaviour on the roads.

Anyone with any information or concerns can call police on 101 or 999 in the event of an emergency.

Alternatively, witnesses can contact independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.