CHILDREN are risking their lives climbing on a section of Great Yarmouth's historic town wall.Groups of young people regularly perch on the top of the medieval wall more than 15ft above Blackfriars Road car park.

CHILDREN are risking their lives climbing on a section of Great Yarmouth's historic town wall.

Groups of young people regularly perch on the top of the medieval wall more than 15ft above Blackfriars Road car park.

However, the other side of the wall next to a grassed area on Deneside is less than half the height and can easily be scaled.

The borough council has put warning signs up, but there is no barrier to prevent access to the ancient monument.

Blackfriars Road resident Christopher Gilbert regularly spots groups of youngsters congregating on the wall.

He said: “Some of the children even climb the wall into the car park, which is exceptionally dangerous.

“Parts of the masonry are loose and it would be easy to lose your grip and get badly hurt as the area below is covered in tarmac.

“I have called the police on several occasions who reprimand the youngsters. It is not possible for them to be there 24 hours a day and something needs to be done to prevent access to the wall.

“Perhaps a canopy could be placed on top of the wall or a fence put in front of the stretch on Deneside.”

Built in the 13th century to keep pirates and invaders at bay Yarmouth has one of the best preserved town walls in Britain.

Pebbles from the beach and flints were used to build the wall which was up to 23ft high and fortified by a series of towers.

Borough council conservation and heritage manager Stephen Earl said: “There are signs warning people not to climb on the wall.

“Grills have been placed on them in places to restrict access, but that is not always possible. It is an ancient monument and has to be carefully preserved.

“Putting up fencing or barriers could be visually intrusive. There are hundreds of metres of wall and it's difficult to protect all of it in that way.”