Young stunt-riders are coming from as far away as Leeds and Keighley to perfect daring tricks on walls and seats in Shipley - and their parents are dropping them off.

Shipley town centre manager Bob Parker said he was astonished when he found out parents were regularly unloading children with bikes and skateboards so they could play in the precinct.

Some nights up to 12 youngsters at a time take over the area and turn it into a stunt ground, cracking wooden benches and damaging walls as they pound them with specially-adapted bikes and skateboards.

Mr Parker said youth workers who have had contact with the young riders told him they were coming from Guiseley, Cullingworth, Bradford and Keighley to practice their stunts because the lay-out of the precinct was perfect for it.

He added: "Parents have actually been seen pulling up, dropping off their kids and getting bikes and boards out of the boot for them. The parents are fully aware of what's going on. The youngsters are harmless enough in themselves but they are doing damage because of the hammering they are giving the walls and seats and costing us a lot of money for repairs. The damaged wooden slats on the benches cost around £60 a time to fix."

Town centre police officer PC Mark Scrimshaw said three elderly women had already injured their shins on broken seats caused by the riders and one toddler had had a near-miss when he climbed one of the walls and a loose coping stone almost fell on him.

"If an area gets damaged and begins to look worse for wear then it invites more damage and more anti-social behaviour," PC Scrimshaw said. "We fully intend to enforce the bylaws that forbid skateboards and bikes in the precinct and have to warn parents they could be called before a civil hearing by Bradford Council if they knowingly let their children do damage."

Bradford Council is looking at plans to build a new, multi-thousand pound skateboard arena below Crowgill Park which, it is hoped, will draw young people away from the precinct.

Talks between Mr Parker and Shipley police are due to take place soon to discuss ways of keeping stunt-riders out of the precinct.

Mr Parker said: "We need to make sure the ban on bikes and boards is enforced. There is a big skating culture going on and we can't ignore it but we want to create a town centre that is safe and pleasing for everyone."