CHILDREN in Yeadon are missing out on countryside walks due to serious flooding over a footpath.

The old railway line path near Westfield Primary School has been covered in approximately five inches of water since March this year.

And now pupils who used the path to get to school, or to visit nearby Engine Fields for nature trips are having to cross the busy A65.

Head teacher at Westfield, Kevin Metcalf, said: "We used the path as a very safe way of getting up to Dog Mill Pond.

"From time to time we would go up the sandy path to bird watch - it meant not crossing any roads.

"Other class teachers used to take their classes up to Yeadon library using that route.

"The other sad thing is the fact that because of the state of the path, bottles and cans are being thrown there.

"We are certainly missing the use of the path."

Treasurer of Friends of Engine Fields Jack Schofield said: "The problem has got a lot worse since Yorkshire Water repaired a pipe in the road on May 29.

"The water is constantly trickling down so it must be from a broken pipe."

The problem is made worse as people are now starting to dump rubbish on the site.

Mr Schofield said: "Because the path is out of action people are starting to drop rubbish there. And once people see one bit of rubbish they put more and more there."

The path is owned by Leeds City Council.

A spokesman from Leeds City Council said: "The majority of water has been coming from a leaking water main that Yorkshire Water are promptly trying to fix.

"We are continuing to work with them to try to ensure this footpath becomes usable again as soon as possible."

A spokeswoman from Yorkshire Water said: "We visited the site on Friday June 6 in response to a call from a member of the public.

"The engineer identified a leak though it is not clear at this time if this is a result of work done earlier at the site. The problem will be rectified very quickly and we apologise for any inconvenience."