Warning over 'extremely dangerous' fire-hit hall

The Grade-1 listed building was destroyed in a huge fire in August

Police are urging people not to let their children go into an abandoned historic hall that was destroyed in a major fire.

Woolton Hall, in Liverpool, suffered extensive damage in August after a blaze tore through the Grade I-listed building.

There have been a number of reports of youths going into the derelict building since, despite it being fenced off, Merseyside Police said.

Insp Michelle Ingram said people going into the building in its current state "are putting themselves at very serious risk of injury".

Insp Ingram said: "With rubble, unstable floors and damaged beams and girders, as well as exposed wiring, the site is extremely dangerous and I want to appeal to parents and guardians to discourage their children from going anywhere near it for their own sake."

Temporary fencing is in place and ground level access to the building is secure but some people had ignored warning signs around the site, she added.

Police said the site of the historic hall is "extremely dangerous"

She said the force is working with Liverpool City Council and the building owners to alleviate the dangers at the site and make sure it is secure.

"Breaking into a private premises can, in some circumstances, amount to a criminal offence as well as being a civil matter," she added.

"Please speak to your children and make sure you know where they are and what they are doing for their own safety and the safety of others."

A 14-year-old old girl who was arrested on suspicion of arson in the days after the fire remains on conditional bail, and the investigation is ongoing.