'STAY out of the quarries' is the message being sent out to Chorley youngsters after a number of deaths in recent months.

The Quarry Products Association is appealing to parents in the borough to warn their children about the dangers of playing near and swimming in quarry waters -- activities which kill hundreds of people every year.

Quarry operators have spoken to young pupils in Chorley warning that quarries can become deadly playgrounds.

Elizabeth Clements, spokesperson for the association, said the warning follows a spate of recent deaths of people taking a dip to cool off in the sunshine.

On July 31, the body of a man was pulled from a reservoir near Edgeworth, while earlier last month an 18-year-old boy died after jumping 100 ft into water at a quarry in Capernwray, near Lancaster.

Miss Clements said: "During the summer children's natural inquisitiveness can very easily lead them into danger.

"Quarries and marine aggregate wharves might seem to offer many of the attractions of an adventure playground. In reality, however, lakes that look inviting to swim in are often very deep and icy cold."

She also said many are injured and even die after playing on machinery, climbing on steep rock faces, playing on large piles of sand and wading into quicksand.

David Harding is communications manager for Hanson Aggregates, who own Brinscall Quarry, Twistmoor Lane, Withnell.

He said: "We have taken steps to avert tragedies by speaking to primary schools in the area and alerting them to the dangers, and have had a fairly positive reaction.

"We need to work in partnership with parents and the police to show that although they may seem an attractive proposition, quarries can be lethal and if children want to get in they will, despite signs and security. It's a matter of education."

Other quarries that are linked to the Quarry Products Association include Castle House, Adlington, and Clayton Hall quarry, Whittle-le-Woods.