CHILDREN are putting their lives at risk by clambering 50 feet on top of a derelict mill building.

Residents living nearby have watched in horror as the youngsters have swung from damaged guttering and hung out of windows after breaking down boarding at Woodlands Mill in Steeton.

Now they are demanding action before there is "a nasty accident".

Jane Bowler's home in Bobbin Mill Court overlooks the disused 18th century building.

She told the Herald: "I have seen children clamber up on the gantry right at the top of the building and walk across the roof.

"They even hang off the guttering, which is damaged in places.

"I can see all this from my home and it's nerve-racking. One of these days there's going to be a nasty accident and someone is going to get killed."

Woodlands Mills has stood empty on Barrows Lane for the past 10 years.

Although it is a listed building, it has fallen into a bad state of repair, with holes in the roof, rotting floors and boarded up windows.

It has had several owners over the years, many of whom planned to turn it into flats or offices.

But they have been put off by its listed status and sold it on.

Now Mrs Bowler, who has just joined Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council, wants the listing removed to pave the way for its easy demolition or conversion.

"I'm not concerned about what they do with it - it's just the children I'm worried about," she added.

"All children run off and play - we've all done it, but we were much safer then."

Mrs Bowler wants Bradford Council heritage experts to come out and look at the building with a view to de-listing it.

"I just feel that something needs to be done because it just looks like a ruin from the war," she added.

"I was surprised to learn that there's no follow-ups done on listed buildings and nobody comes to visit them to look at the state they are in."

Plans for Woodlands Mill have appeared numerous times in the Herald.

The latest was from Leeds-based Headingley Estates which wanted to turn it into luxury apartments similar to those being snapped up by highflying executives in city centres.

The plans included redeveloping the site and using existing features, such as wooden beams and the millpond to create a prestigious living environment.

Ideas also included a gallery where local artists could display their work and a caf/delicatessen to serve those living there.

A Bradford Council spokesman said it would be inspecting the building to see whether the authority needed to take any action.

"Owners are usually responsible for ensuring that their property is not dangerous and is secured against unauthorised access," he said.

"The building was purchased last year and we will now be attempting to establish who the new owner is.

"In 1991 planning permission was granted for it to be converted into residential use."