THE latest craze of "bus surfing" -- which left a 12-year-old girl seriously injured -- has been condemned by council leaders and community groups.

Katherine Glass, of Elgin Street, Halliwell, suffered a fractured skull and severe bruising after she fell off the back of a moving bus as is it slowed down near her home on Saturday night.

Today, Lib Dem Cllr John Rothwell, executive member for community safety and social inclusion, said: "Children need to stop this 'game' now before someone is killed."

He added: "Children have a responsibility not to put themselves at risk unnecessarily and their parents need to be aware of what is going on."

The schoolgirl and four friends jumped on the 501 First Manchester service on Saturday night.

The boys managed to hold on but Katherine lost her grip and fell in to the road. She was knocked unconscious.

The bus driver was unaware of what happened and continued driving.

The Smithills pupil was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where a brain scan revealed she suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

It could be months before doctors know the full extent of the damage caused.

Her mother, Katherine Kidd, spoke out yesterday to warn other children that they were "dicing with death".

Cllr Rothwell said: "We are spending a lot of money trying to reduce the number of children injured in road accidents on the roads by slowing traffic down and at the time, young people are risking their lives in this way."

Cllr James Gillifan, who represents Bolton Council on the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive, added: "We have a similar problem involving young people trying to jump on the back of ice cream vans.

"It is not something new. In my youth, young people used to hold on to the back of cars while riding bikes but there is more traffic on the roads these days and vehicles are a lot faster.

"Parents need to educate their children about the obvious dangers of this type of activity.

"It is a shame it takes a child being seriously injured to highlight what can happen."

Inspector Brian Wood, Greater Manchester Road Safety Officer added: "Anyone seeing this behaviour should report it to the police immediately.

"Quite clearly, serious injury and even fatalities can result from this senseless habit or dare.

"It is something that all parents and road users should be aware of and they should not allow anyone to jump on board any moving vehicle or hang on the back.

"It is extremely dangerous and will have serious consequences."

A spokesman for First Manchester said yesterday: "Joyriding and playing around traffic, particularly buses, is a very foolish and dangerous activity.

"Parents need to make sure their children are aware of the dangers."