CHILDREN are dicing with death by taking a short cut to school across a bridge "so thin you can push a pencil through it".

The pupils are using the 20-year-old bridge to save minutes on their walk to school -- despite the fact it could collapse at any time.

The timber bridge, which crosses a stream onto Harwood Country Park, Bolton, was closed three months ago because it was deemed unsafe for use by the council.

A council spokesman said the timber on the bridge has now become so soft "you can push a pencil through the wood".

"It is dangerous and could go at any time," he said. "This is why we closed it to the public in the first place."

Residents in the area have become increasingly concerned about the bridge since it was closed -- and have called on the council to take action as a priority to either repair or remove it before there is a tragedy.

Mr Steve Howarth, 47, of nearby Ashdene Crescent, said the bridge was always well-used before it was closed and is still being used today.

"Hundreds of people a week used the bridge to get to the park," said Mr Howarth. "The alternative is a lengthy detour so we would like to see it replaced.

"But safety comes first and every morning we see children on their way to school climbing over the barriers that have been put up and ignoring the council's warning notices and using the bridge as a shortcut. "We have complained to the council but they have told us that they need to find out whose responsibility the bridge is and that they have no money set aside to repair it."

He added: "It is an accident waiting to happen. It always seems that action is only taken when something terrible happens. If it were to give way with a child on it I dread to think what would happen."

Mr Howarth said he believed the children were using the bridge as a short cut to nearby Canon Slade School.

Canon Slade headteacher The Rev Peter Shepherd said the state of the bridge had not been brought to his attention but he would take action to warn pupils to keep off.

"We have a bulletin that is circulated throughout the school on a regular basis and I will asking out pupils to stay away from this bridge," he said. "I will be looking at ways I can alert the parents of children from the Harwood area about this bridge and make them aware of the fact that it may be unsafe."

The council spokesman said the £30,000 needed to replace the bridge was not available.

"If children are still using it then we need to consult with colleagues to see what action we can take to make it more secure," he added. "The eventual aim is to replace the bridge but we are looking at months for this rather than straight away. However we would urge everyone to stay away from it because it is unsafe."